TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Wind Farms

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences for wind farms have been granted since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The Department does not maintain a register of all approved wind farm projects, and approval is usually a matter for local determination. From the information available to us, which may not be complete, we are aware of 67 locally-granted approvals for wind farms since 1997. In addition, approvals for two wind farms over 50MW declared net capacity have been given centrally in accordance with section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Wind Farms

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences for wind farms have been granted in (a) Workington and (b) the United Kingdom.

Nigel Griffiths: The Department does not maintain a register of all approved wind farm projects, and approval is usually a matter for local determination. From the information available to us, which may not be complete, we are aware of four approvals for wind farms in or near Workington, and 129 for wind farms in the United Kingdom. The UK figure includes two approvals given by central Government, in accordance with section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, for wind farms over 50MW declared net capacity.

Aerospace

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to assist the aerospace industry.

Alan Johnson: This Government have a track record of providing significant support to this important sector. For example, we have committed nearly £1 billion in launch investment support over the past five years for major new airframe and aero-engine programmes.
	In addition, support for civil aircraft research and technology currently runs at about £20 million a year. And, as large investors in R&D, aerospace companies will benefit from the recently announced tax credit scheme for larger firms.
	We are working closely with other Government Departments on how best to address a wide range of problems faced by the UK aerospace industry. For the longer-term, this embraces a wide range of complex, cross-cutting policy issues—for example, support for research and technology, launch investment, export financing arrangements and defence procurement matters. For the nearer term, we are looking at how to make the most of our generic supports for productivity and competitiveness and the way they are deployed in the regions.
	To help with this process, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, announced on 16 May the formation of the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team, lead by Sir Richard Evans. This will enable key stakeholders to work together to produce a shared vision and strategy for the future success of the industry. I expect Sir Richard and his team to report by the end of March 2003. This will enable an informed debate to take place followed by an agreed action plan to take the industry forward.

Shopworkers

Malcolm Savidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on employment protection for shopworkers.

Alan Johnson: In general, protection applies to shopworkers as it does to workers in other sectors of the labour market. For example, if any employer tries to change an employee's terms and conditions of contract without their consent, or dismisses the employee for no good reason, the employee may be able to make a claim. For historical reasons, there is specific additional protection for shopworkers in England and Wales who do not wish to work on Sundays.

Photovoltaics

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications there have been for her Department's PV grants.

Nigel Griffiths: Up to the end of June there have been 23 applications under the small-scale individual stream. 17 of these have been approved, including that of the hon Member for Blaby. The first system was installed on a house in Dover in June.
	For medium and large-scale installations, the first of our quarterly calls for proposals closed at the end of June. This attracted 15 proposals for grants of around £2 million, representing some 450kW of new capacity. These proposals are currently being assessed and we expect to announce the outcome around the end of July.

Postal Services

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have closed since 1997; and what representations she has received regarding the future of the sub-post office network.

Patricia Hewitt: Post Office Limited has advised me that the number of net closure of post offices since end March 1997 is 1,667. I receive representations on the future of the post office network from numerous sources. The Government are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices.

Postal Services

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of rural postal services.

Patricia Hewitt: Rural postal services are safeguarded by the universal postal service obligation which the government laid down in primary legislation in the Postal Services Act 2000. The legislation says that the obligation consists of a service provided at an affordable price determined by a public tariff uniform throughout the UK and includes the delivery each working day to the home or premises of every individual in the UK and a collection each working day from access points. Under the Act it is the Postal Services Commission's (known as Postcomm) primary duty to ensure the provision of a universal postal service and it currently requires Consignia, in the licence, to provide the universal postal service.

Postal Services

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which post offices in the Portsmouth, South constituency Consignia is planning to close; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The programme to restructure the urban post office network has not yet started and I am advised by Post Office Limited that, until it does, there are no specific plans for post office closures in the Portsmouth South constituency. When the programme starts it will be taken forward in consultation with individual subpostmasters, the community, local stakeholders and Postwatch. Under the Code of Practice, Post Office Limited is required to consult Postwatch on individual changes and is briefing it on the process envisaged for reaching decisions.
	The objective of the urban network restructuring programme is to provide modernised and improved facilities which meet customers' needs and expectations and are in the right location for the local community.

Unincorporated Businesses (Hertfordshire)

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the impact of her Department's policies on unincorporated businesses in Hertfordshire.

Nigel Griffiths: The Small Business Service provides, through the business Link network, advice, support and regulatory guidance to all types of small businesses.
	Business Link Hertfordshire offer a broad range of provision to meet a very broad range of business needs. Last year the Business Link dealt with over 7,000 different businesses.
	The SBS is working to: minimise the burdens imposed on small businesses by red tape; and make sure that the interests of small firms are properly considered, by encouraging every part of Government to 'Think Small First' when introducing new regulations.

Technology Transfer

Iain Luke: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to encourage technology transfer from academic institutions to industry.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government's two White Papers, "Excellence and Opportunity", published in July 2000, and "Opportunity for All", published in February 2001, set out our science and innovation policy for the 21st century, and include a comprehensive range of measures to help promote technology and knowledge transfer between academia and industry. We are making excellent progress in this area.
	We are considering, as part of the Government's spending review, how to further develop these initiatives to build on universities' potential as drivers of growth in the knowledge economy.

Small Business Seminar

James Plaskitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the progress of the Small Business Seminar.

Nigel Griffiths: The Small Business Service was set up in April 2000.
	Latest figures show that Business Links assisted 244,685 businesses during 2001–02.
	In addition, Business Links have helped 18,163, new businesses to start-up.
	In 2001–02 SBS spent over £154 million in BL programme expenditure—money spent in direct support of SMEs—not running costs—and over £164 million in 2002–03.
	The SBS Annual Report 2002 will be published later this month, before the summer recess.

Miners' Compensation

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to monitor progress on the payment of coal health claims.

Brian Wilson: I chair the Coal Health Ministerial Monitoring Group which monitors progress, on a national and regional basis. All parties involved in the process attend these meetings.
	In addition, there are regional monitoring groups in Scotland, Wales and England, which all report to the national group. In England I have recently established five regional sub-groups which are North East, Midlands/ Lancashire, South/South East, Notts/Derby and Yorkshire.
	A report on progress is issued monthly and placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Updates are also available on the Coal Health website.

Community Development Financial Institutions

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to make a feasibility of community development financial institutions.

Melanie Johnson: The Small Business Service is currently supporting 41 community development finance institutions through its Phoenix Fund. These CDFIs are receiving almost £20 million of support over the next 2 years.
	A number of the CDFIs supported are researching new and innovative ways of providing last resort finance to disadvantaged communities.
	The Phoenix Fund has also been instrumental in supporting the formation of a trade association for CDFIs, the Community Development Finance Association. This organisation will help to disseminate best practice throughout the sector.
	A community investment tax credit that will encourage the private sector to invest money into the community finance sector was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in this year's budget.

Manufacturing Industry

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to assist manufacturing industry.

Alan Johnson: The Government's Strategy for Manufacturing, published on 16 May this year, sets a strategic framework for working in partnership with key stakeholders to help manufacturing companies fulfil their potential in the UK by moving up the value chain to high-skilled, knowledge intensive operations. The strategy identifies seven pillars with objectives and actions for Government and industry to develop:
	Macro-economic stability
	Investment
	Innovation
	Best practice
	Raising skills and education levels
	Modern infrastructure
	The right market framework.
	It has been warmly received by manufacturers and trade unions.

Manufacturing Industry

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role her Department plays in cases where companies with manufacturing plant in several EU countries, when rationalising their capacity, choose to close their plant in the United Kingdom.

Alan Johnson: It is always a cause of great regret when there are closures by any company operating in the UK. Where appropriate, the Department and its partners establish contact with the companies and see if there are ways of retaining the investment. This may include ministerial involvement.
	However, when a company does announce plans to close, the Department's appropriate sector directorate will work closely with local and other partners, notably the Employment Service and relevant RDA, to manage the effects of the disinvestments and to look at employment opportunities for existing staff, and at re-training packages.
	The network will also look at alternative uses for the site/plant or for a buyer. Invest-UK will ensure that Overseas Posts are aware of the situation to enable them to market the site/plant to overseas companies.

Small Business

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to increase investment in basic skills in small firms.

Nigel Griffiths: The Government are committed to raising the level of adult literacy and numeracy in the workforce and has identified this as a priority area. This will help small businesses. The Government's 'Skills for Life' strategy will:
	provide free, high quality, training and advice on basic skills for all small employers
	train workplace basic skills brokers who will put businesses in touch with local basic skills training providers. 447 brokers have so far been trained.
	recruit employer champions, all with a proven basic skills track record in their sector, to help fellow businesses.
	The Government are also helping small firms with:
	the Union Learning Fund, which has enabled Union Learning Representatives to promote basic skills training within the workplace.
	Learndirect, the online learning and information service, which offers free courses to learners on the foundations of reading, writing and numbers.
	the six Employer Training Pilots announced in the budget, which will test out a range of approaches to increasing training levels and enable employees to attain basic and level 2 skills.
	27.

Small Business

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on encouraging employment in the small business sector.

Nigel Griffiths: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Plaskitt) today.

Broadband

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to encourage take-up of broadband.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government believe that broadband services have an important role to play in increasing the competitiveness of the UK economy. Ministers have therefore taken several opportunities to promote the benefits of broadband, including by supporting the Demand: Broadband campaign run by the Communications Workers Union.
	The UK Online Annual Report 2001 sets out the Government's broadband strategy. "To stimulate demand for current broadband content and applications the Government will:
	"—work with the broadband supply industry to facilitate an industry-wide collaborative campaign to promote the benefits of broadband and give impartial advice on the different technological options available.
	"—provide more encouragement to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt e-commerce solutions. The DTI are now expanding the £66 million UK online for business programme to:
	"—provide more effective advice to businesses on the introduction and setting up of e-business solutions, with particular emphasis on the benefits of broadband; and
	"—introduce a web-based guide to broadband availability for SMEs and a network of demonstrators of practical applications".
	We have also established a £30 million fund to help the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and devolved administrations develop innovative schemes to extend broadband networks. Using this fund, some of the RDAs and devolved administrations are carrying forward work which demonstrates the benefits of broadband.
	Since the beginning of 2002, ADSL prices have fallen by 22 per cent. Take-up is now over 600,000 and rising by 20,000 new subscribers per week. Around 66 per cent. of the population are able to access affordable broadband technologies, and increased take-up strengthens the case for further roll-out.

Nuclear Industry

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public expenditure on matters relating to the nuclear industry there has been since 1 May 1997; and what estimate she has made of future identified public liabilities in respect of existing activities.

Brian Wilson: Public expenditure on matters related to the nuclear industry in this period related primarily to the activities of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and BNFL. Regulation of the industry and the activities of UK Government Departments and the devolved Administrations with policy or other responsibilities relevant to the industry also necessarily involve public expenditure. However, precise information on the total expenditure involved in each of the years in question could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	For UKAEA, funding was provided in the form of grant and grant in aid to support fusion research and to discharge nuclear liabilities arising from past programmes. The sums provided in each year were as follows:
	
		£ million 
		
			  Grant, and grant in aid 
		
		
			 1997–98 199.1 
			 1998–99 302.6 
			 1999–2000 212.1 
			 2000–01 241.2 
			 2001–02 311.9 
		
	
	BNFL is classified as a public corporation by the Office of National Statistics. Its expenditure and income is recorded in the public sector in the national accounts and so it contributes to the statistics that monitor the Chancellor's fiscal rules. BNFL's total gross expenditure in the financial years 1997–98 to 2000–01 as reported in "Public Bodies" was as follows:
	
		£ million 
		
			  Total gross expenditure 
		
		
			 1997–98 1,733 
			 1998–99 2,056 
			 1999–2000 2,968 
			 2000–01 2,694 
		
	
	The equivalent information for 2001/02 is not yet available.
	At 31 March 2002 the total undiscounted cost of dealing with the nuclear liabilities of BNFL and UKAEA was estimated to be £47.9 billion. The White Paper "Managing the Nuclear Legacy—A Strategy for Action" published on 4 July set out the Government's proposals for establishing—a new Liabilities Management Authority with a specific remit to ensure that these liabilities are dealt with safely, securely, cost-effectively and in ways which protect the environment.

Sustainable Development

Roger Casale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to promote the sustainable development of the UK's poorest trading partners.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government's key objectives for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in August include: poverty eradication through sustainable development; promoting the integration of environmental issues into nationally owned poverty reduction strategies; working for sustainable prosperity by using resources more efficiently; and enhancing access to sustainable energy.
	In addition, we will use WSSD to reaffirm the EU's commitment to the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) so as to add momentum to the negotiations in the WTO. These include negotiations to provide substantial improvements in market access for developing countries; to reduce, with a view to phasing out, all forms of agricultural export subsidies; and to make substantial reductions in trade-distorting domestic agricultural support.

Massey Ferguson (Coventry)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance she has provided to keep the Massey Ferguson tractor plant in Coventry open.

Alan Johnson: Over a number of years Massey Ferguson has been aware of the Government programmes, such as Regional Selective Assistance, for which it has been eligible to apply. Its last application for Regional Selective Assistance was in 1988 and the final payment of the £750,000 grant was made in January 1994.

BNFL

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library a copy of the conclusions reached by Andersen in their commissioned role as joint reporting accountants and assessors of BNFL's finances; when the reports were first delivered to her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 10 July 2002
	No. Andersen's findings were delivered to the Department and BNFL in a number of presentations and reports during the time they carried out the work from August 2000 to September 2001. The work is commercially confidential.

Arms Exports

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has held with the Secretary of State for International Development regarding arms export licence grants to (a) India and (b) Pakistan since December 2001.

Nigel Griffiths: Internal discussion on export licence issues are exempt from disclosure under Part II, Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

GATS

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the GATS consultation process will include publication of the text of the requests made (a) by and (b) of the EU.

Patricia Hewitt: No. We do intend to publish a consultative document this autumn that seeks views on the requests that have been made of the EC and member states, to the extent that these affect the United Kingdom. And a summary of the EC's requests to other WTO members has already been put on the DTI and European Commission websites http://www.dti.gov.uk/worldtrade/service.htm and http:// europa.eu.int/comm/trade/services/gats_sum.htm. But we will not be publishing the texts of the requests.
	It is important for coherence that the European Commission and member states operate on the same basis. Commissioner Lamy has indicated in a recent reply to an open letter from a number of civil society organisations, "It is my aim to be as transparent as possible with all stakeholders, but an appropriate balance must be struck between transparency and our ability to negotiate in an atmosphere conducive to frank and open discussions. I believe that an appropriate balance has been struck and that there are ample opportunities for all interested parties to provide meaningful input if they so desire." (The full text of this letter can be found at http:// europa.eu.int/comm/trade/services/plreply.htm.)
	We must also respect the confidentiality that other WTO members require of us in relation to their own requests of the EC and member states.

GATS

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in the GATS negotiations, a country may reverse the commitment at any stage after committing a service sector to be liberalised under GATS; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: Any WTO member may modify or withdraw any liberalisation commitment it has listed in its GATS schedule of commitments, in accordance with the time limits and other provisions of Articles XXI and X of the Agreement.

GATS

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the GATS consultation process will include consideration of its impact on development; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department's consultation on the GATS negotiations will primarily concern the requests which the European Community will receive from other trading partners and the potential economic and legislative impact on the United Kingdom from meeting such requests. However, we have frequently said that we fully recognise the importance of the development dimension to these negotiations and will certainly cover this in our consultation.

GATS

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what negotiating requests the EU is making of other countries and trading blocs in the GATS negotiations; if the development effects are considered before requests are made; and if the record of that consideration is publicly available.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Swindon (Ms Drown) on 8 July 2002, Official Report, columns 671–72W.

GATS

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she plans to meet the Local Government Association to discuss GATS; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: My officials are already in contact with the Local Government Association over a meeting to discuss the GATS negotiations and are currently awaiting their confirmation of a mutually convenient date. However, on 8 May the Local Government Information Bureau did attend a meeting of the Trade Policy Consultative Forum chaired by my right hon. noble Friend, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, the focus of which was the GATS negotiations. The LGA were invited to that meeting also, but were unable to attend.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff were employed by her Department on (a) 2 May 1997 and (b) 31 May 2002.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 June 2002, Official Report, column 1402W.

Public Companies

John Burnett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on securing independent non-executive directors for quoted public companies; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, together with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has asked Derek Higgs to conduct an independent review of the role and effectiveness of non-executive directors, including the issue of independence.
	Derek Higgs issued a consultation document in early June and he is expected to produce his report around the turn of the year.

Accounting Standards

John Burnett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on accounting standards and compliance where a multi-national holding company is registered in a low compliance country and its shares are quoted on the London Stock Exchange; and if she will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	Accountancy standards requirements for foreign- registered companies whose shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange's main market are governed by the Listings Rules administered by the UK Listings Authority.
	These rules require compliance with UK GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), US GAAP or the accountancy standards of the state where the company is incorporated. However, the UKLA can require International Accounting Standards to be applied if it is not content that the home state accountancy standards in place are sufficient to protect investors' interests.
	Slightly different rules apply to non-listed securities.

Accounting Standards

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for UK accounting standards when international harmonisation occurs.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 1 July 2002
	On 7 June 2002 The Council of Ministers gave final approval to a Regulation that will require all UK companies listed on a regulated market in the EU to prepare their consolidated accounts, from 2005, on the basis of the accounting standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The Regulation will apply directly to companies and does not need to be implemented by national legislation.
	The Department will be publishing a consultation document in the next few months.

Export Credits (Iran)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in relation to pre-revolutionary debt owed by Iran to the UK Export Credits Guarantee Department, (a) what the total sum owed was, (b) how much has been paid back by Iran and (c) how much has been written off as a consequence of the accord signed with Iran this year broken down by (i) sector and (ii) public sector; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: We are not able to disclose precise details of debt settlements such as this one. To do so could prejudice ongoing negotiations ECGD is currently having or intends to have in the future with similarly indebted countries.

World Trade

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 24 June 2002, Official Report, column 687W, on world trade, if she will make it her policy to make a specific assessment of the annual cost of TRIPS to developing countries.

Patricia Hewitt: I have no plans to make such an assessment.

Public Service Agreement

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what proportion of the public service agreements of her Department set out in the document 'Public Services for the Future 1998' have been met; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 10 July 2002
	Of the Public Service Agreement targets referred to in the 1998 Public Services for the Future document, the majority (75 per cent.) have been met or are on course to be met. Detailed information on all the targets can be found in Chapter One of the Department's Expenditure Plans Report for 2002–03 to 2003–04 (Cm 5416), copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Small Firms (Basic Skills)

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to increase investment in basic skills among small firms.

Nigel Griffiths: The Government are committed to raising the level of adult literacy and numeracy in the work force and has identified this as a priority area. This will help small businesses. The Government's 'Skills for Life' strategy will:
	provide free, high quality, training and advice on basic skills for all small employers;
	train workplace basic skills brokers who will put businesses in touch with local basic skills training providers. 447 brokers have so far been trained;
	recruit employer champions, all with a proven basic skills track record in their sector, to help fellow businesses.
	The Government are also helping small firms with:
	the Union Learning Fund, which has enabled union learning representatives to promote basic skills training within the workplace;
	Learndirect, the online learning and information service, which offers free courses to learners on the foundations of reading, writing and numbers;
	the six employer training pilots announced in the budget, which will test out a range of approaches to increasing training levels and enable employees to attain basic and level 2 skills.

Carlton House Terrace

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding is given to organisations to meet the cost of property in Carlton House Terrace.

Patricia Hewitt: The only organisation occupying premises in Carlton House Terrace that is funded by this Department is the Royal Society. The Royal Society's grant in aid for 2002–03 is £29 million, and includes a contribution towards administration and premises.

Public Inquiries

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on using 0870 telephone numbers for inquiries by the public to the Department and its agencies.

Patricia Hewitt: The use of 0870 telephone numbers for inquiries by the public to my Department is determined by the individual business requirements. Currently my Department makes minimal use of such numbers.
	The chief executives of the Department's agencies will reply direct to the hon. Member.

Textile Exports

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what figures she collates on support to textile exporters offered by other EU countries on (a) a per capita basis and (b) based on the volume of textile exports from each country.

Patricia Hewitt: None.

Fitted Furniture

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received about the Kitchen Specialists Association, the Furniture Industry Research Association and the self-regulatory fitted kitchen organisation Qualitas; if her Department has oversight of the operations of these organisations; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: None.

Fitted Furniture

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will introduce legislation to provide further statutory protection for consumers purchasing fitted kitchens and other fitted furniture.

Melanie Johnson: Consumers already have the right to seek damages where a service has not been carried out with reasonable skill and care. Further remedies, including repair and replacement, will be available when the regulations covering the Sale of Consumer Goods Directive (1999/44/EC) are transposed.
	The Stop Now Orders (EC Directive) Regulations 2001 also give effective powers to consumer protection bodies to clamp down firmly on traders who do not comply with a wide range of legislation, including regulations on the sale and supply of consumer goods. The regulations empower the Director General of Fair Trading, trading standards departments and certain other bodies to apply to the courts for a Stop Now Order to stop a trader from breaching specified legislation where those breaches put consumers generally at risk of actual or potential harm. Failure to comply with a Stop Now Order would be treated as contempt of court punishable by fines or even imprisonment.

Oxford to Cambridge Technology Arc

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to encourage innovation along the Oxford to Cambridge Technology Arc.

Patricia Hewitt: This Government are actively pursuing a policy for sustainable economic growth and increased productivity that is driven by innovation. We have charged the regional development agencies with taking this forward. The east of England and south-east England RDAs and local economic partnerships commissioned an economic study of the Oxford to Cambridge Arc that reported in October 2001. These bodies are represented on a steering group that is developing strategies as recommended by the study and addressing themes such as: branding, skills, and land and property issues.
	I am confident that the actions of the Steering Group will encourage innovation along the Oxford to Cambridge Technology Arc.

World Trade Organisation (Doha)

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people attended the WTO meeting in Doha in November 2001 from (a) her Department and (b) other UK Government Departments; and what the total cost of the visit was.

Patricia Hewitt: My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Trade and I attended the fourth WTO Doha Ministerial Conference in November 2001 for the Department of Trade and Industry. We were supported by 10 DTI officials.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development was present on behalf of the Department for International Development supported by three DfID officials.
	My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment represented the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with three officials from that Department.
	In addition, five Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials were present, and one each from HM Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions. In total, four Ministers and 22 officials attended.
	Three NGO representatives (from the CBI, TUC and OXFAM—on behalf of the Trade Network) also attended as part of the official UK delegation.
	The total cost of the visit was £156,500.

Trade Rules

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what volume of correspondence her Department has received since October 2001 regarding international trade rules and their effect on developing countries.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department has received 601 such letters and approximately 24,000 postcards since October 2001 concerning international trade rules and their effect on developing countries.

Imported Energy

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of UK energy is imported; and what proposals she has to reduce dependence on imported energy.

Brian Wilson: The UK was a net exporter of energy in 2001. The UK exported 115½ million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe) of oil and imported 77 mtoe. At the same time, gas exports were 12 mtoe while imports were 2½ mtoe. The UK was a net importer of coal of 23 mtoe (exporting ½ mtoe and importing 23½ mtoe) and a small net importer of electricity in 2001.
	Overall, our gross exports were 128 mtoe and gross imports were 104 mtoe. These gross imports equated to 42 per cent. of the UK's total energy consumption.
	There are no plans to limit the import of fuels. The consultation leading to the White Paper is considering all aspects of energy policy including the impact of the UK becoming a greater importer of fuels.

Performance Targets

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the performance targets that her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and if she will specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it.

Patricia Hewitt: Information on the Department's targets and priorities—including those in its Public Service and Service Delivery Agreements (both available on the Department's website)—and on how the Department is working towards them is contained in its annual Expenditure Plans Report, the next edition of which is to be published later this month covering 2002 to 2003–04. The targets are monitored as appropriate by the Department's Executive Board and Group Management Boards.
	The performance of the Department's Executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are set out in the individual NDPB's annual reports, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House (the first annual reports by the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council and the Consumer Council for Postal Services will be available in the Libraries of the House in the summer). Key performance targets are agreed by the Department and achievement against them is monitored by the relevant sponsor directorate within the Department. Ministers are currently considering with the nine regional development agencies a range of new targets for their single budget which will be finalised with the agencies later this year.
	I have asked the chief executives of the Department's agencies to write direct to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Roger Heathcote to Mr. Tony Wright, dated 11 July 2002
	You tabled a Parliamentary Question on 24 May to Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, asking for the performance targets that her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004. You also asked, for each target, (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it. I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS), which is an executive agency of the DTI.
	My Agency is currently required to meet the following targets:
	(i) To bring 75% of single Employment Tribunal cases to a first hearing within 26 weeks of receipt.
	(ii) Each office to achieve a minimum of 65% in relation to the above target.
	(iii) To issue 85% of Employment Tribunal decisions within 4 weeks of the final hearing.
	(iv) To achieve 85% of Employment Tribunal users being satisfied with the service offered by the ETS.
	(v) To have 90% of appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal registered for a preliminary hearing ready for listing within six weeks.
	All of the above targets are approved by DTI Ministers following consideration at a meeting of the ETS Steering Board.
	Performance against all of the above targets is monitored by the ETS Management Board, by the Internal Auditors of the Department of Trade and Industry, by the ETS Audit Committee, by the Steering Board, by the National Audit Office and by Ministers.
	After agreement with Ministers, the targets are set out in the ETS Annual Report and Accounts. This report is laid before Parliament before the summer recess, prior to publication by the Stationery Office and electronically on the ETS website www.ets.gov.uk.
	Letter from Alison Brimelow to Mr. Tony Wright, dated 11 July 2002
	I am replying to this Parliamentary Question, tabled on 24 May 2002, to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, about the performance targets of the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004. You also asked for details about who sets the targets and who monitors the performance against them.
	The Patent Office is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the national framework of intellectual property rights (patents, designs, trade marks and copyright).
	The agency targets are set by the Minister, Melanie Johnson and are published in the Patent Office Corporate Plan, and Annual Report and Accounts. The agency targets for 2002–03 were announced by the Secretary of State in Parliament on Wednesday 20 March 2002 (Hansard reference column: 365W). The performance against these targets are checked by internal audit and I am accountable to the Minister for the performance of the Patent Office.
	Customer Service Standards have been set by the Patent Office and are published in the Annual Report and on our website. The performance against these standards are monitored monthly and reported to our Steering Board.
	The Patent Office provides secretariat support for the new Intellectual Property Advisory Committee (IPAC). The role of this committee is to give the Minister and officials advice on identifying strategic issues within the intellectual property arena. Their first Annual Report is due to be published in the Autumn.
	Letter from Mike Goddard to Mr. Tony Wright, dated 11 July 2002
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to your Question concerning performance targets for my Agency, excluding those set out in Public Service Agreements.
	The Agency has a series of annual published quality of service targets, covering our licensing and enforcement activities, and correspondence. The targets are prepared as part of the Agency's Corporate plan, are endorsed by our Steering Board, and are approved by Ministers. They are announced formally by PQ, and those for the current financial year were announced on 26 March 2002 and recorded in columns 809–10W of the House of Commons Official Report.
	Performance is monitored by the Department and our Steering Board. It is reported in our Annual Report and Accounts, which are audited by the National Audit Office, and in the Expenditure Plans Report produced by the Department.
	Letter from Claire Clancy to Mr. Tony Wright, dated 11 July 2002
	I am responding to your recent Parliamentary Question about Departmental performance targets on behalf of Companies House, which is Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.
	The targets for Companies House are agreed and set by Ministers, announced in Parliament by means of a Parliamentary Question, and published in the Companies House Business Plan. As Chief Executive, I am accountable to the Minister responsible for Companies House (the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Competition, Consumers and Markets, Melanie Johnson, M.P.). Companies House's performance against the targets is monitored by the DTI and published in our Annual Report and Accounts.
	The current targets are listed in the attached Annex and I hope that this will provide you with the information you require.
	Companies House Executive Agency—Targets 2002–03
	Operational Targets
	To process 99% of statutory documents within 5 days of receipt at Companies House.
	To achieve, on average, a monthly compliance rate for accounts submitted of 95%.
	To ensure that 96% of all forms submitted to Companies House are captured error free.
	To ensure that 98% of all images placed on the Companies House image system are error free.
	Questions delegated to the Chief Executive
	The Chief Executive to reply within 10 days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to her for reply.
	Customer Service and Complaints Handling
	To ensure that products and services on Companies House Direct are available for 98% of the time between the supported hours of 7am and 8pm, Monday to Friday.
	To ensure that products and services on the Companies House website are available for 98% of the time between the supported hours of 7am and 8pm, Monday to Friday.
	To achieve a score of more than 80% in each quarterly Companies House Customer Satisfaction Survey.
	To clear up 90% of complaints within five days.
	Financial Targets
	To maintain a unit cost reduction of 3% in real terms on documentation registration.
	To achieve, taking one year with another, a 6% average rate of return based on the operating surplus expressed as a percentage of average net assets.
	To pay all bills due within 30 days, or other agreed credit terms, on receipt of goods or services or a valid invoice whichever is later.
	Letter from Dr. J. W. Llewellyn to Mr. Tony Wright, dated 11 July 2002
	The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question about the performance targets that the Agency is required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999 to 2002 and 2001 to 2004; and to specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it.
	Each year DTI Ministers approve a corporate plan submitted by the Chief Executive of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory. The plan includes a basket of performance targets that cover operational, financial and efficiency issues. Ministers publicise their approval by means of an arranged Parliamentary Question. The Agency is required to report performance against the targets in the Annual Report and Accounts presented each year to Parliament. In year monitoring is the responsibility of the Agency and the Finance and Resource Management Directorate of DTI.
	The performance targets for 2001–02 were subject to a PQ on 18 July 2001 and performance against those targets will be published in the 2001–02 Annual Report and Accounts in the next couple of months. A list of targets is attached at Annex A.
	The corporate plan and performance targets for 2002–03 are currently being considered by DTI Ministers.
	Summary of Ministerial Targets—2001–02
	To report a break-even situation in the Income and Expenditure Account for 2001–02.
	To meet the Agency's net vote target in 2001–02.
	To contribute to continuous efficiency improvement by ensuring that total overhead costs are less than 55% of total costs.
	To satisfy all its customers as demonstrated by at least 95% of them rating NWML's provision of services as satisfactory or better.
	To meet the expectations of its customers by completing at least 90% of European type approvals within 10 weeks.
	To complete European type approvals within an average of 6 weeks.
	To complete calibration jobs within the time requested by customers, with at least 95% of all jobs (including preparation of certificates) completed within 18 working days of acceptance of the work and an average completion time of less than 14 days.
	To complete the National Measurement System (NMS) legal metrology programme, and achieve 72% of the milestones in the programme by their due dates.
	To achieve continuous growth in its non-DTI income, with an increase of 7.5% in 2001–02.
	Chief Executive to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Civil Service

Julie Morgan: To ask the Minister what plans she has to encourage more flexible working in the civil service to enable more women to reach the top grades.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department is working with the Cabinet Office to increase the availability of flexible working at senior levels, including tackling the design of senior posts.
	The civil service continues to make progress on increasing the numbers of women at senior levels. In the top 600 posts, the proportion of women has increased from 12.7 per cent. in 1998 to 21.2 per cent. in October 2001. In the senior civil service as a whole, the proportion has increased from 17.6 per cent. to 25.3 per cent. over the same period.

Flexible Working

Gillian Merron: To ask the Minister what analysis she has undertaken of the business benefits of flexible working.

David Taylor: To ask the Minister for Women what analysis she has undertaken of the business benefits of flexible working.

Patricia Hewitt: Surveys carried out when drawing up the Green Paper on work and parents (published December 2000) showed that most employers identified benefits from flexible working. We have since continued to compile extensive case study evidence which demonstrate that employers can see real business benefits by implementing flexible working patterns. Our campaign is based on what shrewd employers are already doing, because of their own business needs.

Management Training

Helen Jackson: To ask the Minister what guidance she gives to public authorities on training women for managerial positions.

Patricia Hewitt: While it is not my role to offer such guidance to public authorities, I do of course continue to work with others to ensure that women are encouraged to train for managerial positions and progress to senior and managerial positions in our public authorities. The Centre for Management and Policy Studies, which is at the heart of Government, offers a number of courses which specifically targets the personal development of women.

Gender Pay Gap

Tom Brake: To ask the Minister if she will make a statement on progress in reducing the gender pay gap in the financial services sector.

Patricia Hewitt: The pay gap between men and women currently stands at 18 per cent, down from 20 per cent. in 1997. In the financial services sector, the gap has reduced from 30 per cent. to 29 per cent. over the same time period. The Government are taking a number of steps to reduce the pay gap further. As well as the introduction of the National Minimum Wage and the provisions in the Employment Bill, the Fair Pay Champions and Castle Awards, are helping to spread good practice on equal pay. All Government Departments are committed to carrying out a pay review by March 2003.

Affordable Child Care

Lynne Jones: To ask the Minister what action she is taking to improve access to affordable child care for working women.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government is committed through its National Childcare Strategy to ensuring that accessible, affordable and quality childcare is available in every neighbourhood. There has been a substantial expansion in childcare nationwide and with a wide range of providers, ensuring real choice for parents. 497,000 new childcare places have been created since 1997, benefiting over 906,000 children and on track to meeting the Government's target of creating new places for 1.6 million children by 2004.

Regional Assembly Elections

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Minister what representations she is making to ensure the involvement of women in proposed elected regional assemblies.

Patricia Hewitt: The Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act 2002 allows political parties to use positive measures, in certain circumstances, when selecting candidates to stand for existing UK elections.
	We are keen for political parties to make full use of this legislation, and I will continue to press for them to do so. We stated in the regional government white paper, 'Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions', that we propose to apply the provisions of the Act to elections for regional assemblies.

PRIME MINISTER

No. 10 Downing Street

David Laws: To ask the Prime Minister how many staff have been employed at No. 10 Downing Street in each year from 1979–80 to 2002–03, broken down by Department; what the total annual staff cost was in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: The total staff costs for No. 10 Downing Street from 1997 are as follows:
	1997–98: £4.1 million
	1998–99: £4.9 million
	1999–2000: £5.9 million
	2000–01: £6.9 million.
	At 1 April 1998, there were 121 members of staff and at 1 April 2002 there were 190 staff on the No. 10 payroll.
	Staff numbers and costs before these dates are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Committee on Standards in Public Life

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct Alastair Campbell and Jonathan Powell to accept the invitation of Sir Nigel Wicks to appear before his committee to give evidence.

Tony Blair: The Government's position on these invitations is as set out in a letter of 5 July 2002 from the Secretary of the Cabinet to the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

CABINET OFFICE

Timber Procurement

Joan Walley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the outcome of his investigations into the concerns raised by Greenpeace on timber procurement in respect of the 22 Whitehall project.

Douglas Alexander: I am today placing a copy of the Cabinet Office's report on the issue of timber procurement for the 22 Whitehall project in the Libraries of the House.
	The report shows that timber for the 22 Whitehall project was not procured in line with the Government's policy of seeking to procure timber from legal and sustainable sources. This has led to the procurement of sapele timber, for which there is no independent certification of sustainability available, from forests in Central Africa.
	The report also sets out a number of actions that the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Office of Government Commerce will be taking to improve the Government's adherence to the policy on timber procurement. The Cabinet Office is also taking a number of steps to improve its own domestic position on timber procurement.
	I am grateful to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) for her interest in the issue of timber procurement. The specific case of the 22 Whitehall project has highlighted a significant level of confusion associated with the terminology used in connection with the specification of timber in contracts. This clearly has implications across Government Departments as employers of contractors, and among contractors themselves. The actions set out in the report published today reflect the importance the Government attaches to improving its position on the issue of timber procurement. The Government will also carefully consider any recommendations emerging from the Environmental Audit Committee's inquiry on the Government's role in promoting the use of timber from sustainable sources.

Departmental Waste

Sue Doughty: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of waste produced in his Department was (a) recycled, (b) composted and (c) re-used, broken down into (i) paper, (ii) plastics, (iii) aluminium cans and (iv) other in each year since 1997; what plans there are to increase these proportions; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Figures for the proportion of waste recycled for the period September/October 2000 to 31 March 2001 is published in the Third Greening Government Annual Report. Data prior to that period are not available. Figures for 2001–02 will be shown in the first Sustainable Development in Government Questionnaire 2002 (previously Greening Government Annual Report) which is due to be published later this year.
	Figures are not available for the proportion of waste produced that was composted or re-used.
	The Cabinet Office is actively working with both our newly appointed facility management provider as well as with our Agencies to maximise the amount of waste sent for recycling.

Departmental Energy Use

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the estimated (a) level and (b) cost of energy use in his Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 3 July 2002, Official Report, columns 384–87W. Figures prior to 1997–98 are not available.
	Since 1 October 2001 over 75 per cent. of the power used across the Cabinet Office's central London estate is being generated from renewable energy sources which are exempt from the climate change levy.

Parliamentary Questions

Simon Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many oral questions he has transferred to other Departments in each of the last 18 months.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	My Department always makes sure that every question tabled receives an accurate answer by those best placed to provide it. Oral PQs are therefore transferred if it is more appropriate for other Departments to answer and they have agreed. Since June 2001 the figures are:
	July 2001: 1
	October 2001: 7
	November 2001: 8
	January 2002: 4
	February 2002: 7
	March 2002: 7
	April 2002: 0
	May 2002: 7
	July 2002: 1.

TREASURY

North Sea Oil and Gas

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2002–03 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at current US/UK exchange rates;
	(2)  what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2003–04 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at exchange rates of £1/$1.40;
	(3)  what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2002–03 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at exchange rates of £1/$1.50;
	(4)  what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2002–03 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at exchange rates of £1/$1.40;
	(5)  what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2003–04 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at current US/UK exchange rates;
	(6)  what the expected revenues from the North Sea are likely to be for 2003–04 based on an oil price of (a) $10, (b) $15, (c) $25, (d) $30 and (e) $35 a barrel at exchange rates of £1/$1.50.

Dawn Primarolo: Revenue is dependent on the price of oil, the exchange rate and the levels of production and expenditure. Decisions on levels of production and expenditure will be taken by companies on the basis of actual and expected prices. A significant and sustained change in oil prices would lead to different levels of production and expenditure. The yield will also be affected by differential movements in gas prices relative to oil. By way of an estimate, at current levels of planned production and expenditure, at an exchange rate of £1/$1.40, a movement in the oil price of $5 could be expected to affect revenue by about £2.2 billion in a full year. At an exchange rate of £1/$1.50, a similar movement would affect revenue by about £2.0 billion in a full year. These estimates assume that gas prices would move broadly in line with the price of oil.

Gamebirds

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) assessment he has made and (b) representations he has received in relation to the valuation rating of gamebird (i) rearing and (ii) premises.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is the executive agency of the Inland Revenue that is responsible for preparing and maintaining rating lists. It has received representations from a number of bodies including Wales Opponents of Pheasant Shooting and Animal Aid requesting confirmation that specified game farms are assessed for non-domestic rates (NNDR).
	The VOA has also been requested by the Game Farmers Association to ensure that their membership and others in the industry are all treated fairly in relation to non domestic rates.
	Game farms have been assessed for NNDR in the 1990, 1995 and 2000 rating lists.
	The Valuation Office Agency has undertaken various initiatives over recent years to identify this class of property and to enter them in the non-domestic rating lists. Where the valuation officer is aware of a property operating as a game farm and it is not assessed for non- domestic rates, then the circumstances are investigated.

Hearing Aids

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to exempt deaf employees from paying tax on their hearing aids; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The Government are continuing to remove barriers to work and ensure that disabled people do not face discrimination in the work place. Regulations came into force on 9 July 2002, to ensure that benefits for disabled employees which may be used both in and out of the work place, such as a hearing aid, will not be liable to a tax charge.

Climate Change Levy

Julian Brazier: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from the manufacturing sector regarding the climate change levy.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 20 June 2002, Official Report, column 398.

Taxation

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the number of households facing marginal deduction rates of over 70 per cent. in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: Historical estimates of the number of households facing marginal deduction rates in excess of 70 per cent. for 1997–98 through to 1999–2000 are contained in the Social Security Departmental Report—The Government's Expenditure Plans 2000–01 to 2001–02. Forward-looking estimates, which include the impact of the tax and benefit changes made in Budgets since 1997, are contained in the Budget 2002 report. Tax and benefit changes made since 1997 have reduced the number of households facing marginal deduction rates in excess of 70 per cent. by around half a million.

VAT

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what recent (a) assessment he has made and (b) representations he has received regarding the imposition of VAT on game birds reared for country sports;
	(2)  how much VAT has been raised by the sale of shooting rights to operators for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Sales of game birds reared for country sport are zero-rated for VAT. There have been no representations on this subject since the hon. Gentleman tabled a question which was answered on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 851W.
	Estimates of VAT raised from the sale of shooting rights for the last 10 years are not available.

VAT

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of small businesses that have benefited from the simplification of VAT.

John Healey: It is not possible to give a meaningful estimate for the number of small businesses that have benefited from the many VAT simplification initiatives that have taken place over the years. The table gives estimates for the small businesses VAT simplification measures that were announced in the last Budget.

VAT

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his definition of (a) domestic and (b) personal care in relation to VAT on home care services.

John Healey: holding answer 2 July 2002
	There is no definition of 'domestic' or 'personal' care in VAT law. In the absence of a definition in law, these terms are given their ordinary everyday meaning. Examples of personal care include bathing, feeding and toileting. Examples of domestic care include cleaning, cooking and shopping.
	
		
			 Measure Estimate 
		
		
			 Registration threshold increased to £55,000. Keeps another 4,000 small businesses out of the VAT net. 
			   
			 Optional flat rate scheme introduced on 25 April 2002. Allows approximately 500,000 small firms to cut their compliance costs. 1,400 applications by the end of May and will be extended to a further 200,000 more small firms with turnovers up to £150,000 next April. 
			   
			 Changes to the annual accounting scheme allowing businesses with a turnover up to £100,000 to join the scheme as soon as they register for VAT. About 10,000 businesses are already using the scheme and the changes extend eligibility to another 100,000 businesses. 
		
	
	The take-up figures for the flat rate and annual accounting schemes are expected to increase later in the year as the changes bed in and the benefits are given wider publicity.

Government Debt

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has met its performance target of reducing the yield differential between (a) British and (b) German long-term Government debt; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: The differential between yields on UK and German 10-year Government bonds at the start of May 1997 was 1.7 per cent. The Treasury Departmental Report 2002, published in June, reported that this differential had averaged 0.14 per cent. over the year to publication. The differential is currently 0.16 per cent. (8 July 2002).

Resource Accounting

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether comprehensive departmental resource accounts were fully in place in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: As part of the implementation of resource accounting and budgeting, Government Departments prepared resource and pension scheme accounts in parallel with the related appropriation accounts for 1999–2000. These accounts were laid before the House by the Treasury and published by Departments. All were subject to audit and examination by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Thirty nine of those accounts were laid before the House under the terms of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921 by the statutory deadline of 31 January 2001 and the remaining 10, with the agreement of the Treasury and the National Audit Office, were laid by 4 April 2001. Therefore these represent a comprehensive set of accounts for that period.

Housing Market

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies he has commissioned into sudden falls in the housing market in parts of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.

PISA 2000 Survey

Nick Gibb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 2002, Official Report, column 117W, if he will make a statement on the timing of the test in relation to GCSE exams.

Stephen Twigg: I have been asked to reply.
	In England, the OECD PISA survey was conducted between 1 March 2000 and 14 April 2000, on a date chosen by each participating school. GCSE examinations were held in May and June 2000.

Zimbabwe

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer since the international coalition began freezing ZANU-PF members' assets, what activity has occurred within each of the accounts.

Ruth Kelly: European Council Regulation 310/2002 does not allow for the disclosure of details regarding individual accounts and amounts frozen, beyond the information already made available to the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) on 15 April 2002.
	Actions taken by other Governments in respect of individuals in Zimbabwe are a matter for those Governments. Within the European Union, it is for each member state to ensure that the terms of the regulation are implemented.

Receptions

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) date, (b) purpose and (c) cost of each reception held at No 11 Downing Street since 7 June 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 4 July 2002
	A list of all receptions held at 11 Downing Street since 7 June 2001 has been placed in the Library.
	The total cost to the Treasury for all official receptions held in the relevant period is £8,453 in 2001 and £6,505 in 2002. There is no cost to the Treasury or public funds for any private reception.

Contraband

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the value of contraband brought into the UK through (a) canalised, (b) non- canalised ports of entry and (c) in total (i) in sterling and (ii) as a percentage of the total through each of (a)-(c) in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

John Healey: I regret that this information is not available in the format requested but I am able to refer the hon. Member to some sources of information on the subject that he may find of interest.
	The latest information about excise smuggling can be found in the documents "Measuring Indirect Tax Fraud and Tackling Indirect Tax Fraud" (HM Customs and Excise, November 2001). Details and results of Customs activities to counter other types of contraband smuggling are published in the Customs and Excise Annual Report 2000–01 (March 2002). Copies of all of these documents have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Charities

Helen Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce a VAT refund scheme for charities; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Charities already benefit from a range of special VAT reliefs, but the Government recognise that irrecoverable VAT still represents a problem for some charities.
	While we remain alive to opportunities to modernise and update the VAT system for charities wherever possible, this remains a difficult issue. The 1999 Review of Charity Taxation gave careful consideration to a scheme to refund charities' irrecoverable VAT, but concluded that for reasons of principle and cost this should not be pursued.

Exchange Rate

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with which currencies sterling has maintained greatest exchange rate stability since 1997; and how that is measured.

Ruth Kelly: There is no unique measure of exchange rate stability. One possible measure is the co-efficient of variation. Since the start of 1997, of the currencies comprising sterling ERI, the Swiss franc-sterling exchange rate has had the lowest co-efficient of variation.

Euro

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the five economic tests will include an assessment of the short-term and long-term consequences for public spending and fiscal policy of joining the euro.

Ruth Kelly: The Government have said they will complete an assessment of the five economic tests within two years of the start of this Parliament. All relevant economic issues will be dealt with as part of the assessment.

Poor Nations (Imports)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken, and what progress he has made, towards securing the support of EU Governments for the lifting of barriers to imports from the poorest nations.

Ruth Kelly: The Government are working closely with our EU partners for a successful resolution of the new WTO 'development' trade round, including the commitments in the Doha Ministerial Declaration of 14 November 2001 on market access for agricultural and non-agricultural products. And we are strongly encouraging other industrialised countries to follow the EU lead by granting duty and quota-free access to the least developed countries for all exports except arms, and by financing capacity building in developing countries so they can participate fully and effectively in the forthcoming negotiations.

Cars

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations the Inland Revenue has received about the valuation of cars in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: For the purposes of calculating the tax charge on the benefit of a company car, the "price" of the car is based on the UK list price. Information about the number of representations received on this issue is not available.

Unemployment

Iain Coleman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rate of unemployment is in each Government office region.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Iain Coleman, dated 11 July 2002
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the unemployment rate in each government office region. I am replying in his absence. (68900)
	The latest available estimates, for the three month period ending April 2002, are given in the attached table. These estimates are from the Labour Force Survey and are seasonally adjusted.
	
		ILO unemployment rate(1) by Government office region; February to April 2002, seasonally adjusted -- Per cent.
		
			  Rate 
		
		
			 North-east 6.9 
			 North-west 5.8 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 5.2 
			 East Midlands 4.7 
			 West Midlands 5.6 
			 East 3.6 
			 London 6.8 
			 South-east 3.7 
			 South-west 3.3 
			   
			 Wales 5.8 
			 Scotland 6.8 
			 Northern Ireland 5.7 
			   
			 United Kingdom 5.2 
		
	
	(1) ILO unemployed people aged 16+ as a percentage of the economically active.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Employment Relations Act

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Employment Relations Act 1989 will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The review begins today. Its terms of reference are the following:
	The Government has reformed the labour market to build a durable and fair basis for constructive employment relations. By a range of measures, the UK labour market is achieving high levels of employment and combining fairness and flexibility.
	In line with commitments made in the 1998 Fairness at Work White Paper, the Government will review the operation of the statutory union recognition and derecognition procedures in the Employment Relations Act 1999. The review will also look at the operation of the other provisions of the Act.
	The review will be carried out by the DTI through full public consultation. The DTI will complete this task to a timetable enabling any legislative recommendations which the review may make to be introduced within the lifetime of this Parliament.
	I am placing in the Libraries of the House a Schedule describing the subjects covered in the Act.

TRANSPORT

A1 Upgrade (North Yorkshire)

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment has been made of the environmental impacts of the forthcoming A1 upgrade in North Yorkshire; if he will place copies of related documentation in the Library; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment or research has been conducted on the safety benefits of the forthcoming A1 upgrade in North Yorkshire; if he will place copies of related documentation in the Library; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment has been made of the impact on businesses and economic development in the (a) north- east and (b) Yorkshire and Humber regions of the forthcoming A1 upgrade in North Yorkshire; if he will place copies of related documentation in the Library; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what assessment has been made of the impact on (a) traffic growth, (b) freight volume, (c) car journey numbers, (d) delays and (e) congestion of the forthcoming A1 upgrade in North Yorkshire; if he will place copies of related documentation in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Don Foster, dated 11 July 2002
	I have been asked by the Transport Minister, David Jamieson, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the forthcoming A1 upgrade in North Yorkshire.
	The safety benefits of this scheme were assessed in the A1 Bramham to Barton Road Based Safety Study.
	That Study, and the Scheme Appraisal Report, assessed traffic growth, Light and Heavy Goods Vehicle flows and traffic congestion, together with the environmental impact of the proposal.
	During the study we consulted a wide range of organisations affected by, and having an interest in, the A1 in the North East and Yorkshire and Humber. These included The Regional Development Agencies for the North East and Yorkshire and Humber as well as local councils, freight associations and other transport bodies. The results are reported in the A1 Bramham to Barton Safety Study Problems and Issues Statement.
	I have arranged for copies of all these documents to be placed in the House of Commons Library.
	If you require any further information, Alec Briggs in our Leeds Office will be happy to assist you. He can be contacted on 0113 283 6303.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the letter of agreement of 27 June relating to the Government's undertaking to make sufficient funds available to ensure that the amount receivable by Railtrack group by way of consideration in respect of the disposal of the shares in Railtrack Plc on an after tax basis is equal to £500 million.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	The details of this letter, and the contingent liability contained within, are set out in paragraphs 24 and 25 of the non-statutory contingent liability Minute laid before the House of Commons on 27 June.

Strategic Rail Authority

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the credit rating is of the SRA.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	In line with other non-departmental public bodies, the SRA would receive a high credit rating consistent with its statutory role.

Strategic Rail Authority

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many applications for membership of the board of the SRA were received in response to the most recent advertisements; and when resulting appointments to the board will be announced.

David Jamieson: 603 applications have been received for membership of the Board of the Strategic Rail Authority. Appointments will be announced in due course.

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the special purpose vehicles being developed for enhancement works on the railways.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 9 July 2002, Official Report, column 807W.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on Network Rail's proposal from (a) the ORR and (b) the SRA.

David Jamieson: holding answer 2 July 2002
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has discussed the matter with the ORR and SRA.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the (a) statutory and (b) other powers of the SRA with regard to the control of Network Rail.

David Jamieson: holding answer 9 July 2002
	The SRA's statutory powers are set out in the Railways Act 1993 and the Transport Act 2000. The SRA will be represented as a member of Network Rail and would have certain special rights as a member (e.g. the right to appoint an SRA non-executive director to the board).

Devolution

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the EU Technical Adaptation Committee on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: We do not know of any committee with this name and function.

Road User Charging

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes he plans to make to his policy on road user charging for inter-urban motorway and trunk roads in response to the prospective opening of the M6 toll road in 2004.

David Jamieson: There are no plans to introduce inter-urban road user charging, but we shall want to see what lessons can be learned from practical experience with charging schemes, including the national scheme for lorries announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his most recent Budget.

Driving Standards Agency

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what evaluations have been conducted on the efficacy and value-for-money provided by the Driving Standards Agency's schools liaison programme;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library copies of guidelines and regulations given to the Driving Standards Agency with regard to their schools liaison programme;
	(3)  what Driving Standards Agency expenditure was on their schools liaison programme in each of the past five years; and what financial provision is being made for future development of such programmes;
	(4)  how much was spent (a) per school and (b) per school that actively took part by the Driving Standards Agency on their schools liaison programme in each of the past five years;
	(5)  what funding requests his Department is planning for the Driving Standards Agency's schools liaison programme;
	(6)  if he will make a statement on the selection procedure for schools to take part in the Driving Standards Agency's schools liaison programme;
	(7)  if he will list the schools that took part in the Driving Standards Agency's schools liaison programme.

David Jamieson: In our road safety strategy "Tomorrow's Roads—Safer for Everyone" we gave the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) an expanded remit to contribute to improvements in road safety for young and novice drivers by establishing, developing and disseminating high standards and best practice in driving and riding on the road. We committed DSA to boosting road safety education in schools by expanding its programme of presentations to schools and colleges. Copies of the "Strategy" are available in House Libraries, and I am arranging for copies of the "Arrive Alive" material to be placed there too.
	The schools programme was recently renamed "Arrive Alive" to reflect the wider target audience that has developed since the scheme was launched in 1996. Driving examiners now visit and make presentations to a wide range of organisations including schools and colleges, the armed forces, agricultural colleges, youth football teams, probation services and young offender units. There is no rigid procedure for DSA selecting schools, colleges or other institutions in which to carry out the presentations. In some cases a local Road Safety Officer will ask DSA to take part in a road safety presentation. In other cases, interest might be generated by a visit to the "Arrive Alive" website.
	Independent research carried out in 1997 by the British Institute of Traffic Education and Research (BITER) concluded that the schools programme had proved effective in promoting key safety messages and in moulding attitudes among potential drivers.
	The Department has funded the programme since 2000. Prior to that, DSA obtained funding from private business and from surpluses generated by DSA's non-statutory commercial activity—mostly the sale of books. DSA spent £65,000 in 1997–98, £94,000 in 1998–99 and £25,000 in 1999–2000. In 2000–01 funding by the Department amounted to £250,000 and in 2001–02 to £500,000. We plan to increase funding so that as many young learners and novice drivers as possible can benefit from the important road safety messages that the programme conveys—£750,000 for 2002–03 and £1 million for 2003–04.
	Presentations are delivered to schools, colleges and the other institutions free of charge. Each presentation costs the Agency an average of £74 for the presenter's travel and subsistence.
	In 2001–02, DSA delivered some 2,800 presentations to a number of organisations: A list has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Trams

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the tram schemes (a) in operation, giving (i) the Government body responsible for oversight and (ii) the start date of the operation, (b) under appraisal and (c) under construction; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: For parts (a) and (b), I refer the hon. Member to my previous replies of 2 July 2002, Official Report, columns 217–18W. There is only one tram scheme currently under construction—the Nottingham Express Transit (NET), which is due to open in November 2003. In addition, there are a further three schemes which are presently being procured: South Hampshire Rapid Transit System (SHRTS); Leeds Supertram; and the three extensions to Manchester Metrolink.

Thameslink 2000

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement as to the status of the Thameslink 2000 project.

David Jamieson: A public inquiry into the project was held between June 2000 and May 2001. The report of the inquiry inspector is under consideration in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, as my right hon. Friend is responsible for deciding Railtrack's consent applications.

Railways (London)

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the London orbital rail routes that (a) have been completed in the last two years, (b) are under construction, giving the expected opening date, and (c) are being considered; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: No new railway lines have been constructed in London in the last two years. Work has already commenced on the extension of the East London line to connect it into the National Rail Network. The Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan gives a target completion date of 2006. The SRA is seeking to enhance levels of orbital rail services over existing infrastructure. The Mayor of London's Transport Strategy details a number of aspirations for improved orbital rail services, and these are being examined in conjunction with the SRA.

Rail Services (Overcrowding)

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the level of overcrowding in trains in each year since 1992.

David Jamieson: Overcrowding is primarily a problem in London in the morning peak. Overall overcrowding levels fell from 1992 to 1996, rose in 1997, fell in 1998, rose in 1999 and 2000 and are unchanged in 2001.
	In 2001, nearly half a million people travelled by train into London each morning. This is the highest figure since the late 1980s. Despite this growth in use at peak times, overcrowding has decreased on eight out of the 10 London franchises since spring 2001, and the number of operators that have overcrowding levels exceeding the SRA's threshold has fallen from five to four. These four operators all have plans in place to reduce overcrowding.

Mersey Passenger Transport Authority

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of rail expertise in the Mersey Passenger Transport Authority.

David Jamieson: All Passenger Transport Executives have a range of expertise to enable them to formulate and implement local transport plans and to oversee related transport contracts. They also play a significant role in specifying and monitoring rail performance in their areas.

Car Tax

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to reduce numbers of untaxed cars on the road.

David Jamieson: Detection of unlicensed vehicles on the public road is carried out by police and traffic wardens, who pass offence reports to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for enforcement action. Last year 800,000 offenders were brought to book, bringing in £110 million in fines, penalties and relicensing revenue.
	This day to day enforcement activity is being supplemented by a number of other measures. Since 1997 a nationwide scheme has been operating to wheel clamp and impound unlicensed vehicles seen on the public road. Over 90,000 vehicles have been clamped since the scheme started. The scheme has been a success and we are investigating the possibility of expansion.
	In addition, we significantly increased the number of joint DVLA/police campaigns against VED evaders last year and these are running at a record level. We also introduced mobile digital camera technology to detect unlicensed moving vehicles. This complements other activities which concentrate more on stationary vehicles.
	DVLA is also working closely with other enforcement agencies in a pilot scheme to target both unlicensed and abandoned vehicles. Operation Cubit is a joint operation between DVLA, the police, fire service and local authorities which removes offending vehicles from the road immediately. It is proving to be very popular with members of the public with each vehicle being dealt with by the legislation which is appropriate to its condition.
	Another pilot scheme recently proved the feasibility of local authorities using DVLA's powers to wheel clamp and impound unlicensed vehicles. This is now being rolled out to any local authorities that wish to join the scheme.

Car Tax

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to require the DVLA to introduce (a) on-line and (b) telephone notification of untaxed cars.

David Jamieson: DVLA currently accepts on-line notification of untaxed vehicles. Plans are also in hand to enhance the agency's website to make it even easier for customers to report untaxed vehicles on-line.
	DVLA has also set up a trial telephone hotline notification scheme of untaxed vehicles in Hertfordshire. This started on 26 February 2002. The trial is being carefully monitored and if it proves a success, will be rolled out on a nationwide basis and will be given wide publicity.

Car Use

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2002, Official Report, column 466W, on car use, what the (a) location of and (b) amount spent on each bursary was in (i) 2000–01 and (ii) 2001–02.

David Jamieson: In February 2001 we awarded 111 bursaries to 84 local authorities at a cost of £9 million over three years, to employ co-ordinators to support the development of travel plans for schools and places of work. The location and amount claimed by each local authority has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Car Use

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2002, Official Report, column 466W, on car use, what assessment he has made of the travel plans presented by the local authorities; and which plans were identified by his Department as examples of best practice.

David Jamieson: Although we have carried out research to establish the number of plans being implemented by local authorities, we have not undertaken an evaluation of the individual plans themselves. However, we intend to publish shortly a guide on "Making Travel Plans Work: Lessons from UK Case Studies" together with the research report and the 20 case study summaries on which the guide is based. Two of these case studies are of plans prepared by local authorities, Buckinghamshire county council and Wycombe district. We are about to commission an evaluation of the bursary scheme for local authority travel plan co-ordinators and an evaluation of the programme of free site-specific advice on travel plans.

London Underground

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics he collates on the number of people on the London Underground network who (a) manage to get on the first train that arrives from when they step onto the platform, (b) have to let one train go by due to overcrowding, (c) have to let two trains go by due to overcrowding and (d) have to let three or more trains go by due to overcrowding.

David Jamieson: Detailed operational information of this nature is a matter for London Underground. However, I am informed that they do not collect information in the form requested.

Bus Lanes

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to consult on regulations enabling camera enforcement of bus lanes by local authorities outside London.

John Spellar: We have today published draft regulations for consultation. Copies of the consultation letter and draft regulations will be placed in the Library. The draft regulations place the liability for payment of the penalty charge where a vehicle is driven illegally in a bus lane on the registered keeper, except that where a vehicle is subject to a hire agreement, liability falls upon the person who has hired the vehicle, and where a vehicle is being kept by a motor trader who is not the vehicle's registered keeper, liability falls upon the motor trader.
	During the passage of the Transport Act 2000 we indicated that it was intended, at least initially, that regulations for bus lane enforcement outside London would be made on the basis of driver liability. In preparing the draft regulations, advice was taken from a working party of local authority representatives, and from the independent adjudication services dealing with parking appeals and, in London, bus lane appeals, flowing from local authority enforcement. They made representations that pursuing the driver is not a practical option for civil enforcement of bus lane contraventions. Merit is also seen in having a civil enforcement regime for bus lane contraventions that parallels the well established owner liability regime of decriminalised parking enforcement. Therefore, we decided that the draft regulations would place liability for payment of a penalty charge on the registered keeper, subject to the aforementioned exceptions.

Signage

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to replace miles with kilometres on traffic signs used to indicate speed limits and distances.

David Jamieson: Although many drivers are familiar with metric units, it would not be appropriate to fix a date for converting speed limit and distance signs while there is still likely to be a significant proportion of drivers for whom the change could be potentially confusing.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Energy Conservation

Andrew Stunell: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps the Commission has taken to promote energy conservation and efficiency within the parliamentary estate since 1997.

Archy Kirkwood: One hundred and ten staff of the House have been given special responsibility for energy conservation and efficiency. They receive monthly data on the energy consumption in their respective parts of the estate and manage housekeeping economy measures—for example, by reporting damaged windows and faulty lamps, and ensuring lights and water heaters are switched off when not in use.
	Some £30,000 has been invested each year in energy saving schemes. Recent examples include lighting occupancy sensors and thermal insulation. A contract has recently been let to replace the main Palace boilers and chillers with modern high efficiency plant over this summer recess and the summer recess of 2003. A combined heat and power plant provides electricity and domestic hot water to the Norman Shaw buildings.
	Portcullis House was specifically designed to be energy efficient. Cooling for the air conditioning is obtained by drawing cold water from a deep aquifer. Heat exchangers recover energy from discharging warm to cool air. The thermal mass of walls, floors and ceilings balances out daily temperature changes. External light shelves reduce the need for daytime artificial lighting.

Departmental Energy Use

Andrew Stunell: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, what the estimated level of energy use on the Parliamentary Estate was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy used is generated from renewable sources; and what plans there are to increase this proportion.

Archy Kirkwood: The energy used on the parliamentary estate in each financial year since 1997 is given in the table. Because the size of the estate has changed in this period the figures are calculated per square metre.
	
		
			  KiloWatt hours per sq. m. 
		
		
			 1997–98 342 
			 1998–99 353 
			 1999–2000 353 
			 2000–01 334 
			 2001–02 315 
		
	
	None of the energy used is generated from renewable sources; this issue was last considered by the Accommodation and Works Committee in November 2000, when it resolved that the situation should continue to be monitored. I have drawn my hon. Friend's question to the attention of the Chairman of that committee.

Select Committee Specialists

Andrew Dismore: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans he has to review salary rates for Select Committee specialists; and if he will make a statement.

Archy Kirkwood: Salaries are kept under constant review, and a general review of pay for all staff throughout the House up to the grade above that of committee specialists is now under way.
	To the best of my knowledge, committees have been able to secure suitably qualified staff to act as committee specialists, and have been content with the quality of their work, though I cannot of course tell whether other good candidates have been deterred from applying for such posts by salaries given in press advertisements.
	The House recently approved the establishment of a review of committee support staff when it debated the Modernisation Committee's report on Select Committees on 14 May. That review is now beginning: I am sure that the review team will consider carefully the issue the hon. Gentleman has raised today.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

DEFRA Stand (Agricultural Shows)

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who designed her Department's stand for this year's Countryside and Agricultural Show; and what the cost was of (a) the design work, (b) the production of the stand and (c) the stand excluding staff costs, at the shows.

Elliot Morley: The DEFRA stands being used at this year's agricultural shows were designed and built by two companies. Sabre International Exhibitions and Sasex. In both cases the stands are not new, each having been used at events during 2001. The contracts for this work were awarded following an established process of competitive tendering. While the costs involved are a matter of commercial confidentiality they are in line with commercial rates that Government Departments would expect to pay for stands of this sort.

EU Management Committee

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committee of the common organisations of agricultural markets for sugar is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The EU Sugar Management Committee normally meets weekly on Thursdays. UK representation depends on the agenda items under discussion. Officials from the Scottish Executive and other devolved Administrations attend as necessary in accordance with their interests.

EU Management Committee

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committee on application of the Directive on the standardisation and rationalisation of reports on the implementation of certain Directives relating to the environment is next due to meet; whether experts nominated by the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: I regret that I am not yet able to provide this information. I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

Fisheries

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency plans she has developed relating to the six and 12-mile inshore fisheries limits in the event that a new derogation is not in place by 31 December.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 27 June 2002
	I welcome the Commission's proposal to renew without any time limitation the current access arrangements for the six and 12-mile limits and their statement that these provisions have reduced fishing pressure in the most biologically-sensitive areas of the sea and provided economic stability for small-scale fishing activity. The proposal would apply from 1 January 2003 and a decision is due to be taken by the Fisheries Council during the course of this year's review of the common fisheries policy. There remains a consensus among member states in favour of renewing the limits.

Fisheries

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she is making in obtaining an EU wide ban on the fishing of bass while they are spawning.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 27 June 2002
	The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas' Advisory Committee for Fisheries Management has recently reported to the European Commission on the status of sea bass in European waters. The Commission will need to consider its response to this report. I will support any effective controls to ensure the sustainability of bass stocks.

Fisheries

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards reducing effort by 20 per cent. in those sectors of the UK fishing fleet with the most over-capacity; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: It has been a departmental target to reduce fishing effort, by 20 per cent. between 1997 and the end of December 2001, in those segments of the UK fishing fleet with the most overcapacity. This target was met by the due date.

Fisheries

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2002, Official Report, column 951, on fisheries, which member states regard relative stability as being in the best interests of all EU members.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 8 July 2002
	Following statements made by Ministers in the Fisheries Council and by officials in Council Working Groups, the following member states have declared that fishing opportunities should continue to be allocated according to the principle of relative stability: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Radioactive Waste

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which bodies she (a) has consulted recently and (b) plans to consult in relation to radioactive waste management; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: We and the devolved Administrations consulted over 1,000 people and organisations, including local authorities, green groups and others during the recent consultation on "Managing Radioactive Waste Safely". I shall write to the hon. Member with further details.
	We will continue to involve these people and organisations as our radioactive waste management programme continues.

Flood Defence

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities in England were asked to complete a policy statement to determine whether the authority would be able to meet Government aims and objectives in relation to flood defence; and which of these authorities are considered to be within official flood risk areas.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 3 July 2002
	All local authorities in England have been asked to complete a policy statement in line with Government flood defence aims and objectives. With the exception of Brighton and Hove unitary authority 1 , London borough of Camden and London borough of Islington, all local authorities have some part of their boundary within the area shown on the Environment Agency's 2001 indicative floodplain maps.
	1 The area within Brighton and Hove UA boundaries has no main river, therefore, no fluvial floodplain. In addition, the land rises very steeply from the shoreline and is therefore deemed to be a coastal protection (more at risk of erosion and landslides) rather than a flood defence area.

Sustainable Development

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to raise public awareness about the World summit on Sustainable Development over the next three months.

Michael Meacher: In DEFRA we are continuing to work with other Government Departments and outside organisations to raise awareness of the World summit on Sustainable Development among both the media and the general public.
	We are currently finalising proposals which not only build on the progress already made, but which also identify areas where we need to focus our resources, not only in the period running up to the event, but also during and immediately after the summit. These proposals include: producing a brochure about the summit which also highlights UK activity on sustainable development, focusing on locally based activities and making further improvements to the Government sustainable development website to enhance the information and networking opportunities it provides. The website can be found at www.sustainable-development.gov.uk

Johannesburg Summit

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what budget has been allocated by her Department to raise awareness on environmental issues linked to the Johannesburg summit.

Michael Meacher: The World summit on Sustainable Development takes place in Johannesburg from 26 August to 4 September. Many environmental issues relate to the agenda so it is not possible to isolate a specific budget. However, through the Environmental Action Fund we are helping voluntary organisations in England to promote sustainable development. For 2002–03 we have allocated £1.4 million to 25 projects promoting 'biodiversity' and £3.1 million to 58 projects promoting the 'understanding and awareness of sustainable development'. In 2001–02 the Environmental Action Fund supported 115 projects promoting 'sustainable living' to the tune of £4.2 million. In addition, DEFRA supports Environmental Campaigns Ltd and the Energy Saving Trust's Energy Efficiency Campaign, and last financial year provided over £8.2 million (it is not possible to disaggregate a small element of Scottish Executive support for the Energy Saving Trust from this figure) for both. We expect to provide a similar level of support for this financial year.
	One of the aims of the DEFRA Sustainable Development Strategy, 'Foundations for our Future', launched last month, is to raise awareness of sustainable development within staff in DEFRA. £120,000 has been earmarked over this coming year for this.

Agricultural Forms

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to reduce the complexity of forms that have to be filled in by farmers.

Elliot Morley: Many of the forms farmers are required to complete relate to CAP support schemes. These forms are reviewed each year for need and content.
	The Bovine Scheme Literature Project is currently reviewing the three major bovine schemes, Suckler Cow Premium Scheme (SCPS), Slaughter Premium Scheme (SPS) and Beef Special Premium Scheme (BSPS), with a view to producing a single form and set of scheme literature, thus reducing the time farmers spend on form filling.
	Wherever possible, forms are pre-printed with information we already hold.
	The Department is currently considering its overall approach to reviewing forms.

Angling

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to introduce a system of bag limits for sports anglers fishing around the UK coast.

Elliot Morley: As I explained to the right hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin) on 1 July 2002, Official Report, column 60W, limits on the amount of crabs and lobsters that hobby fishermen can take from the sea are being considered as part of the proposed shellfish licensing scheme. The Department is also looking at the possibility of bag limits for other species and I would hope to be able to reach firm conclusions this autumn. Any proposals to introduce bag limits will be the subject of consultation with both commercial and recreational interests.

Angling

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what plans she has to introduce a licensing system for the sale of fish and lobsters from inshore waters so as to make it illegal to purchase fish or lobsters from anyone not holding a DEFRA licence;
	(2)  what plans she has to prevent sports fishermen and women selling their catches to the retail and restaurant trade;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the impact of sale of fish caught by sports fishermen and women to the retail and restaurant sectors on the viability of the inshore fishing industry in the UK.

Elliot Morley: Under existing fisheries legislation it is only permissible to sell (for profit) fish caught from and landed by vessels which have been licensed by one of the Fisheries Departments in the UK. Sales of fish caught by unlicensed vessels can depress prices for legitimate landings and adversely affect the earnings of licensed fishermen. Steps to prevent unauthorised sales are kept under review and any proposals for additional measures will be the subject of consultation with interested parties.

Parrett Catchment Project

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what control her Department will have over the chairman of the Parrett Catchment project.

Elliot Morley: The Department does not have control over the chairman of the Parrett Catchment project.

Parrett Catchment Project

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what checks will be carried out to assess the success of the Parrett Catchment project.

Elliot Morley: The Parrett Catchment project is a local partnership and as such will not be subject to Government checks. We have welcomed the initiative and continue to encourage the project to analyse proposed options further and to integrate with existing Government sponsored mechanisms such as the Catchment Flood Management Plan.

Combined Heat and Power

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the exemption for combined heat and power from the climate change levy, as announced by the Chancellor in his Budget, will become operational; and whether the value of the exemption will be realised by the qualifying combined heat and power generator.

Michael Meacher: The introduction of the full exemption of CHP from the climate change levy is subject to EC State Aid approval. We hope to have this approval by the end of November. Whether the qualifying CHP generator supplements its price by the full value of the levy exemption or the licensed supplier reduces the price he pays by sharing some of it, is a commercial matter. Either way, the effect should be to make the onward sale of good quality CHP electricity more attractive.

Curry Report

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received regarding the funding and implementation of the Curry report on the future of food and farming; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 5 July 2002
	The Government's discussion document 'Sustainable Food and Farming: Working Together' invited views on how to take forward issues identified in the Policy Commission's report on the future of food and farming. Approximately 250 responses have been submitted, supplementing representations made during the extensive process of stakeholder engagement conducted recently. These responses are being analysed and will help inform the construction of a Strategy for Food and Farming in England, to be published this autumn.

Timber Procurement

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures the United Kingdom Government are taking to encourage other EU Governments to adopt timber procurement policies similar to those in place in the United Kingdom in respect of timber sourced legally and sustainably; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Government have promoted their timber procurement policy to EU member states and other countries on a number of occasions. The Minister for the Environment gave a speech on implementation of the UK procurement policy, experiences gained and lessons learned on 23 May to an international audience including some EU member states, G8 countries and China. He encouraged them to adopt similar policies. The European Commission was sent a consultation paper on implementation of the policy in the UK to help the Commission prepare for the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade workshop held in Brussels over 22–24 April. The Government's consultation exercise itself was widely publicised and the discussion held on 25 March was attended by stakeholders from across Europe. The policy has been notified to the OECD Steering Group on Green Public Purchasing and in April a Government official gave a presentation on the policy at an international conference on illegal logging held in the USA.
	It is the Government's intention to continue to work closely with other EU member states and the Commission both to further promote the UK timber policy and to share experience gained and lessons learned through implementation. When the next UK consultation exercise is complete and the report we have commissioned from ERM consultants finished we will ensure that the recommendations and actions that follow are widely publicised.

Foot and Mouth

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when she expects the European Commission to provide modulation payments to the United Kingdom for the foot and mouth outbreak;
	(2)  how much money she expects the European Commission to pay the United Kingdom as a modulation payment for the foot and mouth outbreak.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 8 July 2002
	Modulation is a mechanism which enables member states of the European Union to redirect a proportion of their CAP direct payments to rural development measures, should they choose to do so. It is not a mechanism through which EU funding is directed for FMD purposes.

Foot and Mouth

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Lessons Learned inquiry will publish its report; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: I understand that the report of Dr. Iain Anderson's foot and mouth disease Lessons Learned inquiry is now expected to be published on Monday 22 July.

Committee Mandates

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committee for the fisheries and aquaculture sector is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Committee usually meets at monthly intervals. The next meeting is scheduled for 23 July. The composition of the UK delegation is decided according to the agenda. Representatives of the Scottish Executive attend whenever the business of the Committee requires it.

Committee Mandates

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Management Committee for Fisheries Products is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The next meeting of the Committee is provisionally scheduled for 4 October. Outside the summer period it usually meets at monthly intervals. The composition of the UK delegation is decided according to the agenda. Representatives of the Scottish Executive attend whenever the business of the Committee requires it.

Committee Mandates

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture was set up to enable the Commission to consult representatives of the EU fishery products and aquaculture industry, and of related interests such as consumers and environmentalists, and to take their views on the drafting and implementation of relevant EU measures. It is not attended by officials.

Farming Statistics

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the statistics that are collected by her Department by English parliamentary constituency; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 8 July 2002
	DEFRA produces statistics from the June Agricultural and Horticultural Census by parliamentary constituency in England for the following data sets:
	Land use and crops
	Livestock numbers
	Labour force
	Breakdown by total area size bands
	Breakdown by farm type.
	These statistics have been produced for the years 1999, 2000 and 2001. Copies of the 1999 and 2000 data sets are available in the Library. Statistics for 2001 are available on request and will shortly be deposited in the Library.

Sheepmeat

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what exports of sheepmeat there were to each EU country in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 9 July 2002
	The table shows the volume of sheepmeat exported to the EU in each of the last five years.
	
		UK exports of sheepmeat to the EU 1997–2001(2) -- Tonnes
		
			 Country 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 France 76,843 77,532 78,085 70,355 23,832 
			 Belgium-Luxembourg 8,091 8,193 8,288 8,397 1,681 
			 Germany 8,241 7,522 6,812 6,940 1,241 
			 Italy 2,102 3,866 4,865 4,264 1,153 
			 Portugal 3,943 3,727 2,965 2,070 543 
			 Spain 2,238 2,044 2,841 1,378 232 
			 Greece 1,676 767 1,277 978 1 
			 Netherlands 922 882 1,006 1,068 324 
			 Irish Republic 467 1,302 597 566 883 
			 Austria 1,217 1,078 755 659 27 
			 Sweden 68 165 350 236 38 
			 Denmark 131 255 278 93 40 
			 Finland 41 45 59 70 14 
			  
			 Total 105,978 107,376 108,178 97,074 30,009 
		
	
	(2) Product weight. Excludes exports of live sheep.
	Source:
	HM Customs and Excise

Sheepmeat

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much sheepmeat has been exported to (a) North America, (b) Europe outside the EU and (c) other areas of the world in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 9 July 2002
	The table shows the volume of sheepmeat exported to North America, Europe outside the EU and other areas of the world.
	
		UK exports of sheepmeat 1997–2001(3) -- Tonnes
		
			 Region 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 North America — 1 0 1 3 
			 Europe outside the EU 1,427 1,176 969 1,170 241 
			 European Union 105,978 107,376 108,178 97,074 30,009 
			 Other countries 109 74 82 91 122 
			   
			 Total exports 107,514 108,627 109,230 98,336 30,374 
		
	
	(3) Product weight. Excludes exports of live sheep.
	Source:
	HM Customs and Excise.

Sheepmeat

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much sheepmeat was imported into the United Kingdom from (a) countries in Europe outside of the European Union, (b) Australia, (c) New Zealand and (d) other parts of the world in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 9 July 2002
	The following table provides imports of sheepmeat into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.
	
		UK imports of sheepmeat 1997–2001(4) -- Tonnes
		
			 Region/Country 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Europe outside the EU 150 57 25 166 281 
			 European Union 15,182 12,398 11,882 11,061 13,426 
			 New Zealand 106,357 99,197 97,958 96,012 83,245 
			 Australia 12,779 12,386 13,959 13,039 10,282 
			 Other countries 2,427 3,746 1,496 1,500 1,082 
			   
			 Total imports 136,895 127,784 125,320 121,777 108,316 
		
	
	(4) Product weight. Excludes exports of live sheep.
	Source:
	HM Customs and Excise.

Supermarkets

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to help farmers to develop a better relationship with supermarkets.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 9 July 2002
	The majority of farmers do not deal directly with supermarkets. However, those that do may benefit from the supermarkets Code of Practice which the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 18 December 2001. Although the Code is currently binding only on the four largest supermarkets, we have been encouraging smaller supermarkets and larger processors to sign up to its principles and practices.
	The Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food stressed the potential of collaborative ventures for all farmers, large and small, and pointed out that collaboration can put farmers in a better negotiating position when dealing with large customers. We support this view and are looking at ways in which we might encourage greater collaboration between producers. We have already proposed that one of the priorities of the new Agricultural Development Scheme will be projects promoting co-operation and collaboration benefiting primary producers. We have also been considering with others the Policy Commission's Recommendation for the establishment of an English Collaborative Board that would encourage and support collaboration and co-operation among farmers.

Public Service Agreements

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of the public service agreements of her Department set out in the document Public Services for the Future 1998 have been met; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 10 July 2002
	Information relating to DEFRA's Public Service Agreement targets can be found in the DEFRA's departmental report 2002.

Recycling

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage recycling of (a) paper, (b) glass, (c) aluminium and (d) inkjet cartridges.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 10 July 2002
	This Government are committed to increasing reuse and recycling of all materials. Waste Strategy 2000 set a national target of recycling or composting at least 25 per cent. of household waste by 2005, 30 per cent. by 2010 and 33 per cent. by 2015. To underpin these targets, last year we set statutory performance standards for recycling for all local authorities in England. Authorities are required, on average, to double recycling by 2003–04 and triple it by 2005–06.
	These recycling standards are not material specific. It is up to the individual authority to decide which materials to collect for recycling, depending on local circumstances. Many authorities have introduced kerbside collection of recyclables and these often include paper, glass and aluminium.
	We are taking various steps to help local authorities increase recycling. For example, the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Programme provides £140 million for local authority activities, and grants for the first year of funding have just been allocated. Around 58 of the schemes to be funded this year involve kerbside collection and a great number of these target the paper, glass and aluminium waste streams. In addition, schemes to increase bring site recycling and schemes that should raise awareness and consequently recycling rates, have also been approved.
	We have also set up the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to tackle the market barriers to recycling. WRAP have made good progress so far, and have awarded a grant which will result in additional paper reprocessing capacity for 320,000 tonnes of waste paper per year.
	The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which the Government support, makes producers of electrical and electronic goods responsible for their recovery, treatment and environmentally sound disposal and covers inkjet cartridges if they are discarded with the printer.
	Two of the amendments to the Directive proposed by the European Parliament are relevant to inkjet cartridges—amendment 7, which would give re-use of WEEE, its components, sub-assemblies and consumables priority over recycling, and amendment 22, which would prevent the production of equipment which has been manufactured in such a way as to prevent reuse. The Government fully support amendment 7 and support amendment 22 in principle. A final text is expected to be adopted by the end of this year.

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the percentage of respondents to the recent consultation on nitrate vulnerable zones preferred the option of designating 100 per cent. of England as a nitrate vulnerable zone; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 10 July 2002
	Overall 56 per cent. of respondents to the recent consultation "How should England implement the 1991 Nitrates Directive?" preferred application of Action Programme measures to the whole of England. Thirty six per cent. preferred the alternative designation of discrete areas as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. The remainder failed to state a preference. We published an independent analysis of all the responses on 27 June 2002, which is available on the DEFRA web site at "www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ water/quality/nitrate".
	However, these responses were on the basis that 80 per cent. England would be designated under the discrete area option. Subsequent refinement of the mapping work has established that only 55 per cent. of England has to be designated. We took this into account in deciding how to proceed in the light of consultation.

Widdrington Carcase Disposal Site

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the figure of £165,000 compensation paid to UK Coal in respect of the Widdrington carcases disposal site was arrived at.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 10 July 2002
	MAFF/DEFRA negotiated a six year lease for the Widdrington mass burial site, commencing 31 March 2001. In addition to a basic rent for the occupation of the site, since the area is zoned for future coal extraction, a further premium of £300,000 was paid for sterilised coal deposits.
	This sum was determined by the local Mineral Valuer of the Valuation Office Agency in negotiation with UK Coal and was based on the area of land-take used exclusively by MAFF/DEFRA for carcase disposal and a calculation of the likely tonnage of coal that could have expected to be mined from the area.
	The £165,000 referred to in the NAO Report relates to the purchase of Tow Law mass burial site. When MAFF/DEFRA acquired the site, it paid the negotiated purchase price. However, there was in the deeds a restrictive covenant which limited use of the site to open cast mining or agriculture. If any other use was made of the land, the former owners, in this case the Coal Authority, would have to be paid a clawback of 50 per cent. of the increase in the value of the site. The increase was calculated by taking the difference between the indexed sale price achieved by the Authority and deducting this from the price paid by DEFRA, and dividing the result by 2, giving £165k.

Widdrington Carcase Disposal Site

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many businesses in the Widdrington area of Northumberland have received compensation or disturbance payments in respect of the carcase burial site there.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 10 July 2002
	No compensation or disturbance payments have been made to businesses in the Widdrington area of Northumberland in respect of the carcase burial site there.

Frozen Chicken Imports

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment of the risk to animal health has been made by her Department with regard to bovine DNA contained in imported frozen chicken breasts;
	(2)  whether she informed the inquiry into the lessons to be learned from the foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001 of her Department's risk assessment with regard to bovine DNA contained in imported frozen chicken breasts;
	(3)  what evidence her Department presented to the National Audit Office report on the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease concerning the risk assessment with regard to bovine DNA contained in imported frozen chicken breasts;
	(4)  when she informed the Scientific Review into foot and mouth by the Royal Society of her Department's risk assessment with regard to bovine DNA contained in imported frozen chicken breasts.

Elliot Morley: Since 1 August 2001, it has been illegal to feed any processed animal proteins—including avian proteins—to animals which are kept, fattened or bred for the production of food. These legislative requirements, designed to avoid any possibility of the BSE agent getting into feedingstuffs for farmed livestock, are backed up by robust surveillance arrangements to monitor compliance. The specially developed tests which are used to help enforce the feed controls include one specifically aimed at detection of avian proteins. Given the robust controls in place, no added value would be achieved from a separate risk assessment on the animal health implications of bovine DNA contained in imported frozen chicken breasts. Consequently, no risk assessment has been produced or sent to either the inquiry into the lessons to be learned from the foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001, or the National Audit Office Value for Money Examination into the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease, or the Royal Society Study into Infectious Diseases in Livestock.

BSE

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the incidence of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Confirmed cases of BSE in UK since 1997 are as follows.
	
		
			  Passive surveillance(5) Active surveillance(6) 
		
		
			 1997 4,335 0 
			 1998 3,198 0 
			 1999 2,263 18 
			 2000 1,331 99 
			 2001 812 372 
			 2002(7) (8)253 (9)305 
		
	
	(5) Animals reported as showing clinical sign suspicious of having BSE.
	(6) Animals tested on presentation for slaughter, without showing clinical signs suspicious of having BSE.
	(7) To 28 June.
	(8) 70 results pending at 28 June 2002.
	(9) 22 results pending at 28 June 2002.
	Weekly statistics showing the progress of the BSE epidemic in Great Britain are available on the DEFRA website at: http://defraweb/animalh/bse/bse-statistics/ level-3-incidence.html.

Agri-environment Schemes

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much land was covered by the major agri-environment schemes in (a) 1990, (b) 1995, (c) 1997, (d) 1998, (e) 1999, (f) 2000 and (g) 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Details for the Environmentally Sensitive Areas, the Countryside Stewardship and the Organic Farming Schemes are set out in the table in hectares. The area of land under these schemes continues to increase. The Government are firmly committed to agri- environment schemes, and a significant increase of funding was announced in 2000 at the beginning of the England Rural Development Programme.
	
		
			   ESA CSS OFS 
		
		
			 1990 111,550 — — 
			 1995 424,567 (10)90,900 2,118 
			 1997 469,121 118,300 6,130 
			 1998 501,255 139,900 10,683 
			 1999 523,545 192,100 16,095 
			 2000 531,900 263,300 (11)115,387 
			 2001 579,204 (11)333,300 (11)112,832 
		
	
	(10) Total for 1991–95 when the scheme was operated by the then Countryside Commission. The former MAFF assumed responsibility for the scheme in 1996.
	(11) Provisional estimates.
	Note:
	Organic Aid Scheme operated until 1999 when it became the Organic Farming Scheme.

EU Directive 1999/74/EC

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 383W, on EU Directive 1999/74/EC, if she will place the (a) full and (b) partial regulatory impact assessments in the Library.

Elliot Morley: The full regulatory impact assessment concerning implementation of EC Directive 1999/74/EC has been placed in the Library.
	A partial regulatory impact assessment is being produced for the proposal to ban enriched cages from 2012 and this will soon be placed in the Library together with the consultation letter.

EU Directive 1999/74/EC

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 383W, for what reasons she will not carry out a full regulatory impact assessment ahead of her Department's consultation.

Elliot Morley: A partial regulatory impact assessment is included with all public consultations. Subsequently, a full regulatory impact assessment will be produced, including the results of the consultation and will be submitted to Ministers.

Extraction

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Usk valley has been identified as an area for sand and gravel extraction.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	This is a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government.

Extraction

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will undertake a study of sand deposits and extraction in Ceredigion.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	This is a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government.

DEFENCE

Body Armour

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether units of the British armed forces are equipped with full body armour based on ceramic plates; and what distribution of body protection (a) has been made and (b) is planned.

Adam Ingram: Units of the United Kingdom armed forces, in operational theatres, are issued with the general service combat body armour (CBA), which is a vest designed to provide protection to the chest and much of the abdomen. There is also an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suit that provides head-to-toe protection for EOD units. Both are manufactured from textile ballistic fabric. Two ceramic plates can be added to the CBA vest, for extra front and back protection, if required. The current EOD suit does not have ceramic plates but a new lightweight EOD suit, which like the CBA would have ceramic plates to the front and back, has recently been trialled.

Aircraft Shortages

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) training courses and (b) exercises have been cancelled owing to unavailability of aircraft in the last 12 months.

Adam Ingram: From 1 June 2001 to 31 May 2002, twenty training courses were cancelled as a result of aircraft unavailability.
	The Defence exercise programme is responsive to Operational tempo and decisions on which exercises to support with Tactical Air Transport (Tac AT) are taken on a case-by-case basis in the light of this, and their priority within the programme. From 1 June 2001 to 31 May 2002, four of the 13 exercises not offered Tac AT support were cancelled.
	No exercises were cancelled as a result of aircraft unserviceability.

Territorial Army

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strength of the Territorial Army is.

Lewis Moonie: As at 1 May 2002, the strength of the Territorial Army stood at 39,125 personnel, which includes those currently mobilised in support of operations.

Territorial Army

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the restructuring of the Territorial Army was completed; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Strategic Defence Review required the re-organised Territorial Army to be operationally effective by 31 March 2000. All units formed as required, although some units were retained beyond this date until such time as regular units could assume their role as planned. The process of converting to new roles is continuing, and shortfalls in manpower in some areas (in particular the Army Medical Service(TA)) are also being addressed.

Territorial Army

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Territorial Army intelligence specialists called out into service last February are to be replaced; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: As a result of the significant increase in intelligence work following the events of 11 September, the need to augment the Defence Intelligence Staffs and other headquarters organisations by some 55 reservists continues. It is therefore necessary to call out compulsorily a second tranche of intelligence specialists to relieve the majority of those called out last February who now wish to resume their civilian employment. The individuals involved in the second tranche will primarily come from the Territorial Army, but a small number will also come from the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. They will commence their appointments in mid-August. We recognise the essential contribution made by these reservists to the operations against global terrorism and are grateful to them, their families and their employers for their support.

Browndown Site

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will cut back the higher trees and gorse on the Browndown site between Portsmouth Road and the sea at Lee-on-Solent.

Lewis Moonie: There are no plans to cut back trees and gorse at Browndown site. As this is a site of specific scientific interest, we would have to consult with English Nature before undertaking such work, and in any event, work would not start before the growing season ended in the autumn.

Nuclear Weapons

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the types of circumstances in which he has judged it would be legal for the United Kingdom to use nuclear weapons; and whether it is United Kingdom policy never to be the first to use nuclear weapons.

Geoff Hoon: As the Government have made clear on many occasions, we would be prepared to use nuclear weapons only in extreme circumstances of self-defence. We would not use our weapons, whether conventional or nuclear, contrary to international law.
	A policy of no first use of nuclear weapons would be incompatible with our and NATO's doctrine of deterrence, nor would it further nuclear disarmament objectives. We have made clear, as have our NATO allies, that the circumstances in which any use of nuclear weapons might have to be contemplated are extremely remote. Our overall strategy is to ensure uncertainty in the mind of any aggressor about the exact nature of our response, and thus to maintain effective deterrence.

Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the findings of the recent survey of the Inglis Barracks site, Mill Hill, of low level radiation.

Lewis Moonie: An environmental survey was started on 4 July 2002 at Mill Hill to check for radioactive contamination on land that previously belonged to the Ministry of Defence. The first stage was a walk-over survey with meters to check for any radiological activity. Only two small areas meriting further investigation were found. These were on the Barnet council depot/MOD boundary and in open space in the vicinity of Notting Hill Housing Group flats. The risk to the general public is considered very low and no immediate action or special precautions are necessary.
	Starting on Monday 15 July, trial pits will be dug and bore holes drilled for taking soil samples. The results from analysis of the samples will be used to decided what remedial action may be necessary.
	The survey is a precautionary measure following a previous Land Quality Assessment of the military site at Mill Hill that identified low levels of radioactivity in a small area in the centre of the site. This activity arises from the residues of luminous paint buried in the ground. Radium based luminous paint was commonly applied to items such as vehicle dials during the second world war as well as on a wider commercial basis for watches and clock faces up to the late 1960s. The MOD intends to remove the contaminated material from Mill Hill, as it has successfully done from other sites, such as the former Admiralty Compass Observatory at Ditton Park, Slough, now sold and re-developed.
	The survey is being undertaken jointly by Barnet borough council and the MOD, working with Annington Homes, Notting Hill Housing Group and the Environment Agency. Residents are being kept informed through mail drops and a telephone help line. An on-site information office was open during the walk-over survey. The results of the survey work will be shared with residents.

Phoenix

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the original estimated in-service life of the Phoenix UAV system that entered into service in 1999 was; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the estimated in-service life of Watchkeeper is; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if the Phoenix UAV system will be upgraded; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Phoenix UAV system entered service in December 1998 with a projected in-service life of 15 years. The Watchkeeper programme, which will subsume the capability offered by Phoenix, defines the capability required of UAV systems to contribute to overall Intelligence Surveillance Target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) requirements for the next 30 years.
	Individual components that make up the capability, such as air vehicles, will change to reflect developments in technology and will not be expected to achieve in-service lives of 30 years. The question of further investment in the Phoenix system and its out of service date is being considered during the current Watchkeeper assessment phase.

Agency Performance Targets

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Communication Services Agency for financial year 2002–03.

Adam Ingram: Key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Communication Services Agency (DCSA) for financial year 2002–03. The targets build on progress already made and are as follows:
	Key Target 1 Service Assurance
	To meet an average of 98 per cent. for measured services against the performance targets agreed in the Agency's CSAs.
	Key Target 2 Service Fulfilment
	To commission an average 95 per cent. of new service requests on, or before, the dates agreed by customers with the DCSA.
	Key Target 3 Service Restoration
	To restore an average 97 per cent. of interrupted services classed as Operationally Urgent within four hours of the fault being reported to the DCSA, or within other specific periods agreed with customers and to restore Business Critical services in accordance with agreed periods in the CSAs.
	Key Target 4 Service Support
	To achieve an average 88 per cent. success rate against agreed standards in response to demands on all DCSA Operator Assistance centres and helpdesk facilities.
	Key Target 5 Customer Satisfaction
	To achieve an average 75 per cent. of customers/users who express moderate or high satisfaction with the way they have been treated by the Agency and the subsequent services and support provided by the DCSA.
	Key Target 6 Efficiency Measurement
	To achieve an improvement in efficiency by reducing the average unit cost of outputs by 3 per cent. per annum.
	Key Target 7 Introduction of New Projects and Services on Time
	The average cumulative slippage of in-service dates for new major projects is not to exceed 10 per cent.

Agency Performance Targets

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency for financial year 2002–03.

Adam Ingram: The following key targets have been set for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency for 2002–03:
	Key Target 1
	To deliver RN personnel to the trained strength (or to other training organisations) within 5 per cent. variance from the tasked requirement.
	Key Target 2
	To deliver RM recruits to Commandant General Royal Marines within 3 per cent. variance from the tasked requirement.
	Key Target 3
	To maintain success rates of 95 per cent. in Career Training and 97 per cent. in examined pre-joining training.
	Key Target 4
	To reduce the variance between RNR Trained Strength and Total Requirement to 28 per cent.
	Key Target 5
	To achieve, by 31 March 2003, a methodology for the implementation of an output cost based efficiency target.
	Key Target 6
	To achieve net benefits of £14 million in financial year 2002–03 from the partnering arrangement with Flagship Training Limited.

Agency Performance Targets

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Veterans Agency for financial year 2002–03.

Lewis Moonie: The Key Targets that have been set for the chief executive of the new Veterans Agency for 2002–03 are as follows:
	Service
	Key Target 1:
	To reduce the average time it takes to issue decisions on claims to war pensions to no more than 82 working days. This is an improvement of eight working days on the Agency's 2001–02 target; and it represents a cumulative improvement of 18 per cent. against its 2000–01 baseline level of 100 working days.
	Key Target 2:
	To reduce the average time it takes to issue decisions on war widow(er)s claims to no more than 34 working days. This is an improvement of two working days on the Agency's 2001–02 target; and it represents a cumulative improvement of 5 per cent. against its 2000–01 baseline level of 36 working days.
	Key Target 3:
	To achieve an externally validated claims accuracy rate of at least 95 per cent.
	Personnel
	Key Target 4:
	To carry out an externally validated programme of internal IiP assessments during 2002–03 to determine whether the Agency continues to meet the requirements of the IiP standards.
	Working in Partnership
	Key Target 5:
	To work with the Lord Chancellor's Department's Court Service to reduce the average time it takes an appeal to pass through the war pensions appeals process. By 31 March 2003 the average time should reduce to no more than 310 working days. This is an improvement of 198 working days on the Agency's 2001–02 target; and it represents a cumulative improvement of 45 per cent. against its 2000–01 baseline level of 565 working days.
	Efficiency
	Key Target 6:
	To develop a methodology for costing agency outputs to provide the baseline to measure any future years' business efficiencies.

Agency Performance Targets

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for ABRO as a trading fund for financial year 2002–03.

Adam Ingram: The chief executive of ABRO, Michael Hayle, has been set the following Key Targets for the first year of operation:
	Key Target 1:
	Financial performance—Return on Capital Employed (ROCE). The measurement of ABRO's ROCE: to achieve at least a 6 per cent. average ROCE over the first three years of trading.
	Key Target 2a:
	Delivery performance. The measurement of Land (District) service delivery: to complete 95 per cent. of Land (District) Load tasks within the priorities agreed with the customer (Tech 3c).
	Key Target 2b:
	Delivery performance. The measurement of Programme service delivery: to complete 95 per cent. of critical Programme Load tasks within the times agreed with the customers (ES Land IPTs).
	Key Target 3:
	Efficiency—reduction in output price. The measurement of the reduction in price of ABRO output: to reduce the average equipment repair price, across the whole programme by 3 per cent. in the first year and by 12 per cent. over three years against the 2002–03 baseline.
	Key Target 4:
	Winning work. The measurement of ABRO winning work: to deliver more than £4 million of competed work in each of the next three years, but with the intention to change an "order book" measure from year two onwards.

Light Support Weapons

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the (a) Minimi LSW and (b) SA80 LSW; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Minimi Light Machine Gun (LMG) and the SA80A2 Light Support Weapon (LSW) are both deployed in support of the infantry with complementary but different roles. The Minimi LMG is capable of providing sustained suppressive firepower through belt fed ammunition at ranges of 300–400 m. The SA80A2 LSW can engage targets accurately at extended ranges (up to 600 m) at a lower rate of fire.

Light Support Weapons

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which light support weapons were issued to UK troops as part of (a) Taskforce Jacana and (b) Operation Fingal; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Minimis and light support weapons were issued to troops on both operations. We always issue weapons to our forces which are appropriate for the tasks that we expect them to undertake.

Light Support Weapons

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Minimi light support weapons have been issued to UK troops in Afghanistan and at what cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: 149 Minimis were issued to United Kingdom troops involved in Operations Jacana and Fingal in Afghanistan. I am withholding details of the cost in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Joint Helicopter Command

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Joint Helicopter Command was established; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Joint Helicopter Command was established on 5 October 1999, as a result of the Strategic Defence Review.

Chief of Defence Logistics

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the first Chief of Defence Logistics was appointed; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: General Sir Sam Cowan was appointed, initially as Chief of Defence Logistics (Designate), in the lead in to the DLO's former launch on 1 September 1998 for a four-year period. The appointment of Air Marshal Sir Malcolm Pledger was announced on 21 March 2002 in the normal way, and he will take up his appointment in the rank of Air Chief Marshal, on 2 September 2002.

Departmental Projects

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date his Department completed (a) the formation of 1 Joint Force Logistic Component HQ and (b) the establishment of a regular ambulance regiment; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Joint Force Logistic Component Headquarters is a capability that is formed as required. It is based on the core capability of a Logistic Brigade Headquarters enhanced by a Logistics Brigade Signal Squadron, other signals assets and augmentation from the other two Services. The first Joint Force Logistic Component HQ was able to be formed from April 2000, and we will have the capability to form a second such HQ from April 2003.
	The capability which would have been provided by a regular Ambulance Regiment has been created within the Strategic Defence Review endorsed Medical Regiment Concept. This has been achieved by the creation of evacuation squadrons in each of the four medical regiments formed. These evacuation squadrons were fully formed by March 2001. Embedding the evacuation capability within each regiment, rather than creating a discrete capability, has enhanced our ability to deliver the ambulance and evacuation function.

Frigate and Destroyer Fleet

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the present size is of the United Kingdom frigate and destroyer fleet; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 June 2002, Official Report, columns 36–37W, to the hon. Member for Upminster (Angela Watkinson).

Forces Relocation

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first Army unit was permanently relocated from Germany after 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The most recent troop reduction in Germany occurred as a result of the Strategic Defence Review. One Royal Tank Regiment was the first unit under this initiative to relocate back to the UK, in April 1999.

Forces Relocation

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the complete withdrawal of the RAF from Germany was completed; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The closure of RAF Bruggen, the RAF's last Main Operating Base in Germany, and its handover to the British Army was completed on 4 February 2002. The withdrawal of the RAF rear party from the station was undertaken on 28 February 2002. A number of RAF detachments remain in Germany.

Army Homes (Colchester)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many dwellings in Colchester were sold to Annington Homes; when the sale took place; how many dwellings are available for married soldiers; how many have been demolished; and how many have been sold;
	(2)  how many houses in the private sector are rented in Colchester to accommodate (a) soldiers and (b) married families;
	(3)  what the average price per dwelling in Colchester sold by the Ministry of Defence to Annington Homes was; and what total sum was received for the dwellings in Colchester;
	(4)  if the Ministry of Defence will receive a share of the proceeds of former army houses at Colchester sold by Annington Homes.

Lewis Moonie: In 1996 most service families' accommodation in England and Wales was sold to Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL) under a sale and leaseback agreement. The sale raised £1.6 billion for the Exchequer, of which just under £35 million (about £25,000 per dwelling) related to some 1,400 family quarters in the Colchester area.
	During 1996 and subsequently, a total of 182 houses in the Colchester area have been released to AHL for disposal. The rest (about 1,200) are still available for the Ministry of Defence to house service families. Of those released to AHL for disposal, some have been sold by the company, none have been demolished, but about 100 (of non-traditional construction) are awaiting development.
	As part of the Sale of Agreement, a profit share scheme is in place under which the Exchequer receives a part of any profit AHL make from the properties released to them.
	In the Colchester area, and separately from the arrangement with AHL, MOD rents 107 properties from the private sector, of which 106 accommodate single service personnel and one houses a service family.

War Pensions

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place current guidelines issued to the war pensions appeals tribunal in the Library.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	The president of the pensions appeal tribunals issues practice directions which are distributed to all tribunal members. I have arranged for copies of the practice directions to be placed in the Library.
	The Pensions Appeal Tribunals (England and Wales) Rules 1980 (as amended) detail the practice and procedure to be followed by the tribunals.

Sheik Hamad bin Jassim Jaber al-Thani

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date his Department was informed of payments made by (a) BAE Systems and (b) British Aerospace to His Excellency Sheik Hamad bin Jassim Jaber al-Thani; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 13 June 2002
	The first reference we have been able to trace in our records is a report in 1998 which stated that Shaik Hamad bin Jassim Jaber al-Thani had received commissions in connection with a defence equipment package signed in 1996 (for which BAe were the lead contractor).

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what representations have been made to her by UK non-Governmental organisations regarding the change in investment policy at CDC Capital Partners;
	(2)  what representations have been made to her Department since 1997 by non-commonwealth non- Governmental organisations regarding the change in CDC Capital Partners' investment policy;
	(3)  what representations have been made to her Department since 1997 by non-United Kingdom Commonwealth non-governmental organisations regarding the change in CDC Capital Partners investment policy;
	(4)  what representations her Department has received from (a) the Commonwealth and (b) other nations regarding CDC Capital Partners' investment policy since 1997.

Clare Short: None.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reserved rights she would retain after the sale of the majority holding in CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: I hold a number of reserved rights under the special share, which is referred to in Section 18 of the Commonwealth Development Corporation Act 1999. These are set out in Article 11 of the Articles of Association of CDC Group plc. They were designed to continue beyond sale of a majority holding in CDC to private sector investors. A copy of the Articles of Association has been placed in the Library of the House.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners' investment partners by (a) sector, (b) country and (c) size since 1997;
	(2)  what proportion of CDC Capital Partners' (a) retail and (b) health care investments are in (i) low-income and (ii) least-developed nations;
	(3)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners' investment directors' investments by (a) country, (b) sector and (c) size since 1997;
	(4)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners executives' proportional (a) salary and (b) remuneration increases since 1997;
	(5)  what discussions she has had with CDC Capital Group board members regarding annual performance- related bonuses to CDC Capital Group executives;
	(6)  if she will list (a) those to whom CDC Capital Partners sold its enterprise investments in the last three years and (b) the enterprise investments sold to them;
	(7)  how many non-Commonwealth nationals have been employed by CDC Capital Partners in each year since 1997;
	(8)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners' investments by (a) sector, (b) size and (c) country since 1997;
	(9)  if she will list the funds containing private capital (a) managed and (b) joint-managed by CDC Capital Partners; and how much capital has been in each fund since 1997;
	(10)  if she will list, by country, the publicly guaranteed debt owed to CDC Capital Partners;
	(11)  if she will list the investments visited by CDC Capital Partners for monitoring purposes; and how many times each has been visited since 1997;
	(12)  if she will list by (a) country and (b) sector the environmental impact studies (i) performed and (ii) contracted by CDC Capital Partners since 1997;
	(13)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners' disposals of investments by (a) sector, (b) size and (c) country since 1997;
	(14)  if she will list the (a) nationality and (b) age of each CDC Capital Partners' office director;
	(15)  if she will make a statement on the (a) current and (b) proposed pension schemes for (i) office directors, (ii) other mid-level executives and (iii) professional staff employed by CDC Capital Partners;
	(16)  if she will list the unsuccessful formal investment and sale tenders in which CDC Capital Partners has participated, by sector, since 1997;
	(17)  what percentage of CDC Capital Partners' employees were non-United Kingdom Commonwealth nationals in (a) 1997 and (b) 2002;
	(18)  if she will list the countries where CDC Capital Partners (a) has received and (b) receives tax breaks on its investments;
	(19)  what the total cost of severance packages paid to CDC Capital Partners' redundant staff has been since 1997;
	(20)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners' agricultural investments in sub-Saharan Africa by country since 1997, describing the commercial activity in each case;
	(21)  if she will list the countries where CDC Capital Partners (a) has received and (b) receives exemptions on environmental regulations on its investments;
	(22)  what the proportional growth of CDC Capital Partners' (a) retail and (b) healthcare investments has been since 1997;
	(23)  if she will list the unsuccessful formal investment and sale tenders in which CDC Capital Partners has participated, by country, since 1997;
	(24)  what (c) current and (b) proposed (i) annual performance-related bonus programmes and (ii) long-term incentive plans exist for CDC Capital Partners' mid-level executives;
	(25)  how many Commonwealth nationals employed by CDC Capital Partners have been made redundant since 1997;
	(26)  if she will list the sub-Saharan agri-businesses advertised for sale in 2001 by CDC Capital Partners; and what proportion those businesses represented in 2001 in CDC Capital Partners' sub-Saharan agri- businesses;
	(27)  what criteria are used in determining annual performance-related bonuses to CDC Capital Group executives;
	(28)  if she will list the debts owed to the Treasury by CDC Capital Partners;
	(29)  if she will list, by office, the salaries and remuneration received by CDC Capital Partners' (a) office directors, (b) other mid-level executives and (c) professional staff since 1997;
	(30)  if she will break down by (a) region and (b) sector the representations her Department has received regarding the environmental impact of CDC Capital Partners' investments since 1997.

Clare Short: I shall reply to the hon. Member shortly, when the information is available without disproportionate cost.

CDC Capital Partners

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  if she will list, by office, CDC Capital Partners' travel expenses for (a) each executive director, (b) each non-executive director, (c) each office director, (d) other mid-level executives and (e) professional staff employed since 1997;
	(2)  if she will list the number of applicants since 1997 to CDC Capital Partners' by (a) office and (b) position; and if she will list the percentage of this figure that is represented by (i) women and (ii) ethnic minorities;
	(3)  how many CDC Capital Partners' employees with (a) PhDs, (b) masters' degrees, and (c) bachelors' degrees have been made redundant since 1997;
	(4)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners' expenditures related to website construction and maintenance;
	(5)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners-funded air flights of CDC Capital Partners' (a) Chairman and (b) Chief Executive, and of each member of the (i) Board of Directors and (ii) Management Committee since 1997;
	(6)  if she will list the years of CDC Capital Partners service for each CDC Capital Partners office director;
	(7)  if she will list the CDC Capital Partners' (a) vocational training, (b) medical, (c) educational and (d) housing facilities closed by (i) sector and (ii) country, since 1997;
	(8)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners-funded air flights of each CDC Capital Partners office director since 1997;
	(9)  if she will list the average years of employees' service for each CDC Capital Partners office;
	(10)  if she will list, by office, the vehicles owned by CDC Capital Partners;
	(11)  how many visits there have been to the CDC Capital Partners' website;
	(12)  if she will list the positions of employment at CDC Capital Partners' by office; and if she will give the positions (a) filled and (b) unfilled;
	(13)  if she will list payments to, and remuneration received by, financial advisers retained by CDC Capital Partners since 1997;
	(14)  if she will list the qualification requirements for each employment position at CDC Capital Group;
	(15)  if she will list the CDC Capital Partners expenditures related to (a) team-building and (b) staff- development exercises since 1997;
	(16)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners' expenditure on (a) vocational training, (b) medical, (c) educational and (d) housing facilities, by (i) sector and (ii) country, since 1997;
	(17)  how many and what percentage of CDC Capital Partners' employees, broken down by office, hold (a) PhDs, (b) masters degrees and (c) bachelor degrees; and how many and what percentage of such employees are (i) women and (ii) ethnic minorities;
	(18)  if she will list, by office, CDC Capital Partners' expenditures related to (a) vehicle purchasing and (b) vehicle maintenance since 1997;
	(19)  if she will list CDC Capital Partners' yearly expenditure, broken down by office, on corporate entertainment since 1997;
	(20)  if she will list the monthly operating expenses of each CDC Capital Partners office in each year since 1997;
	(21)  if she will list, by office, CDC Capital Partners' expenditure on office equipment since 1997;
	(22)  if she will list each CDC Capital Partners' employment grade; and if she will list the (a) total number of persons employed at each CDC Capital Partners' office and (b) percentage of this figure that is represented by (i) women and (ii) ethnic minorities.

Clare Short: This information is not held by the Government. CDC will write to the hon. Member with as much information as CDC can provide without disproportionate cost. Copies of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Appeal Tribunals

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the second annual report of the president of appeal tribunals on the standards of decision-making coming before tribunals.

Maria Eagle: The second report by the president of appeal tribunals is published today and has been placed in the Library. Of those cases where the appeal tribunal overturned or amended the decision the main reasons given were because new evidence was produced at the hearing, the presence of the appellant at the hearing shed new light on the existing evidence or they took a different view of the same evidence.
	The president has highlighted some areas where improvements have been made following his first annual report. Some examples of these are; more obvious use of the reconsideration process before cases reach the tribunal, improved standards of decision-making and the use of the medical evidence in disability living allowance cases and a reduction in the number of medical reports under-estimating the severity of disability.
	The president has suggested that the agencies should concentrate on engaging appellants fully during the dispute period and encourage them to provide additional evidence earlier. This could lead to problems being resolved without the need to go to an appeal tribunal. I welcome the president's report, which provides an independent view of the standard of Secretary of State decision-making in cases coming to the appeal tribunal.

Industrial Accidents (Compensation)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he has in place to ensure that those who suffer from industrial accidents are fully compensated for their injuries.

Nick Brown: holding answer 13 May 2002
	With certain prescribed exceptions, the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 (ELCI) requires all employers carrying on business in the United Kingdom to insure their liability to their employees for bodily injury or disease sustained in the course of their employment in Great Britain. There is currently a penalty of up to £2,500 for failure to insure on any day.
	Employers are required to display copies of certificates of employers' liability compulsory insurance while the underlying policy is in force. There is currently a penalty of up to £1,000 for failure to display a certificate. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing ELCI.
	Industrial injuries disablement benefit is payable on a no fault basis to employed earners who have sustained an industrial accident or prescribed disease. It is paid according to the degree of disablement and takes no account of factors other than the physical or mental condition of the injured person. It can be paid whether or not the person continues to work and is not taxable.
	In each case, advice on the assessment of disablement and its likely duration is given by doctors specially trained in industrial injuries disablement matters. Benefit is normally paid only in respect of disablement of 14 per cent. or more.

Ministerial Salaries

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the annual cost was of ministerial salaries in his Department in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 2001–02.

Ian McCartney: The level of ministerial salaries are recommended by the Senior Salaries Review Body and are already a matter of public record.
	The Department for Work and Pensions was created in April 2001. The information given for 1997 relates to the Department of Social Security. From May 1997 there was one Cabinet Minister (Commons), one Minister of State (Commons), two Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State (Commons) and one Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords).
	From June 2001, there was one Cabinet Minister (Commons), two Ministers of State (Commons), two Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State (Commons) and one Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords).

Jobseekers (Interview Costs)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the financial support available to jobseekers for the cost of travelling to interviews.

Nick Brown: We recognise that it can sometimes be difficult for unemployed people to meet the cost of travelling to job interviews. The travel to interview scheme, which is available from the first day of unemployment, encourages people to widen their job search by helping with travelling costs to attend interviews outside their usual travel to work area. From June this year we have widened the scope of the scheme to give personal advisers the discretion to make payments for travel to local interviews where the costs exceed £4.
	Additional help can also be provided through the Adviser Discretion Fund which gives New Deal personal advisers the opportunity to make available up to £300 for anything that will help a jobseeker obtain a job, or if offered a job, to accept that job. This can include help with the costs of travel to interviews.
	Employment Zones are also helping long-term unemployed people in the most deprived areas get and keep work. Employment Zones are about meeting the needs of individuals. They help rebuild the confidence of participants and overcome the barriers to work such as debt, transport and housing problems. Help can be provided through Employment Zones with the cost of travelling to interviews.
	Our Action Teams for Jobs, which focus on small areas with particular problems of labour market disadvantage, offer tailored help to enable people overcome barriers to employment. This can include financial assistance to help them secure and retain employment, such as help with the cost of attending job interviews. In addition, we introduced the Transport Projects Fund in April which provides an additional £5 million for Action Teams to address the particular transport difficulties faced by some unemployed people seeking to enter the labour market.

Jobcentre Plus

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the roll-out of Jobcentre Plus to be fully implemented; and when this will be implemented in Northamptonshire.

Nick Brown: Our current plans are to extend the integrated Jobcentre Plus offices progressively to cover the whole of Great Britain over the next four years, starting with a further 225 offices in 2002–03. A firm date for rolling out the new service in Northamptonshire as part of this programme has yet to be determined.

Better Government for Older People

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been employed in Better Government for Older People over the last five years.

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many older people are involved in Better Government for Older People, broken down by nation and region;
	(2)  what the procedure is for electing people to the Regional Committees of Better Government for Older People;
	(3)  how many people took part in the most recent election to the Regional Committees of Better Government for Older People;
	(4)  what the relationship is between Better Government for Older People and (a) Scotland's Older People Advisory Group and (b) the National Pensioners' Convention.

Ian McCartney: These are matters for Better Government for Older People (BGOP) which is a non- Government organisation.

Disability Living Allowance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 157W, on carers, what information is collected on the removal of invalid care allowance from carers when the adult for whom they care has their disability living allowance or attendance allowance removed as a consequence of hospitalisation;
	(2)  pursuant to his answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 157W, on disability living allowance, what data his Department hold on the number of disabled adults who have been affected by (a) the rules under which DLA is withdrawn after a person has been in hospital for four weeks and (b) the cumulative effect of short periods of hospitalisation in each of the last three years;
	(3)  pursuant to his answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 157W, on pensioners (hospital care), what data his Department hold on the number of pensioners who have been affected by (a) the rules under which attendance allowance is withdrawn after a person has been in hospital for four weeks and (b) the cumulative effect of short hospital stays in each of the last three years.

Maria Eagle: Information is not collected (a) on the number of cases where payments of invalid care allowance to carers cease because the recipient of attendance allowance or disability living allowance for whom they provide care is in hospital, or (b) on the annual number of cases where payments of attendance allowance or disability living allowance are suspended because the recipient is in hospital. Information is collected quarterly on the number of people whose attendance allowance or disability living allowance payments are suspended because they are in hospital. The information as at 30 November in each of the last three years is in the table.
	
		Numbers of attendance allowance and disability living allowance cases in payment at 30 November of each year in the period 1999 to 2001, and numbers of cases in which payments are recorded as suspended because the recipient is in hospital
		
			  1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Attendance allowance
			 Cases in payment 1,256,800 1,291,300 1,295,400 
			 Cases with payment suspended because recipient in hospital 12,100 13,500 15,600 
			 
			 Disability living allowance
			 Cases in payment 2,098,300 2,197,700 2,298,000 
			 Cases with payment suspended because recipient in hospital 9,700 10,200 11,500 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
	2. Figures for suspensions refer only to cases where the reason is known.
	3. All AA recipients are aged 65 or over.
	Source:
	Analytical Services Division Information Centre: 5 per cent. data

Pensioners

Douglas Hogg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the value of the assets, including pension funds, which (a) a man aged 65 and (b) a woman aged 60 years would need in order to receive a higher income than if they had no such assets.

Ian McCartney: The value of assets needed for the individuals described will depend upon the level of entitlement to state pension benefits that have been built up over the individuals working lives.
	For illustrative purposes, the following estimates can be made for a man aged 65 who has built up rights to a full single basic state pension but has no other sources of income. At current market rates assets of about £14,000 or more are currently needed to purchase an annuity that generates a higher income level than if he had no such assets. The equivalent figure for a woman aged 60 is approximately £17,000. In practice, it is common for someone with full basic state pension entitlement to also have additional income from SERPS but this has been excluded in the above illustration.
	From October 2003, the introduction of the pension credit will mean that these levels will fall to zero. Any individual with a full basic state pension who has saved for their retirement will have a higher income from doing so, regardless of the amount of this saving.
	These estimates use current 2002–03 single rates for the basic state pension and minimum income guarantee, and the most favourable annuity rates quoted by The Annuity Bureau as at 4 July 2002 for an index-linked annuity with spouses benefits. It is assumed that the full pension pot is annuitised and no tax-free lump sum is taken.

Disabled People (Employment Opportunities)

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a further statement on progress with the job preparation and retention pilots for disabled people.

Nick Brown: holding answer 9 July 2002
	We will make an announcement in due course.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Throckmorton Asylum Centre

Michael Spicer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if the planning inspector leading the inquiry into the application to build an asylum seekers centre at Throckmorton may reach his conclusion only on planning issues;
	(2)  if it is his policy that the planning inspector's decision will be decisive in determining whether permission will be granted for the asylum seekers centre at Throckmorton in Worcestershire.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office has not yet served a Notice of Proposed Development on Wychavon district council. If it does, and the council objects, the dispute will be referred to the Deputy Prime Minister, who may decide to hold a non-statutory public inquiry. The planning inspector holding any such inquiry would treat it as if it were into an appeal against refusal of planning permission. Every relevant planning issue, whether of local or national importance, which is a material consideration in assessing the proposal, would be taken into account. The inspector would weigh all the arguments and evidence presented by the parties before reaching his conclusions and recommendations, including the likely effect of the proposed development on the surrounding area, and taking into account the views of the local planning authority and local residents.
	The inspector would be making a report to the Deputy Prime Minister, not making the determination himself. It would be for the Deputy Prime Minister to determine the dispute between the developing Department and the local planning authority taking into account the inspector's report and all other material considerations.

Members of Parliament (Personal Data)

Eric Forth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information is held by his Department on each hon. Member in relation to (a) personal relationships, both current and past, (b) financial status and dealings, (c) connections with companies and interest groups, (d) connections with Governments and (e) published works; and what was held in January 2002.

Christopher Leslie: Ministers and officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have access to published reference sources, as well as the information about hon. Members made publicly available by the House authorities, for the purpose of parliamentary business.

Social Housing Allocation

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the incentives there are in the system of allocation for social housing for young people to have children at an early age; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: S167 of the Housing Act 1996 provides that local housing authorities must give reasonable preference in the allocation of social housing to families with dependent children, and to households consisting of or including someone who is expecting a child. Under S16 of the Homelessness Act 2002, which will come into effect early next year, the "reasonable preference categories" are revised to reflect housing need more clearly in their formulation.
	The Government's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy aims to halve the under 18 conception rate by 2010 and increase the participation of teenage parents in education and employment. Early signs of the strategy's impact are encouraging with figures for 2000 showing a 6.2 per cent. reduction from 1998 in both under-18 and under-16 conception rates. The percentage of teenage parents in education or employment has increased from 17 per cent. in 1996 to 29 per cent. in 2001.
	Our strategy also sets the aim that all lone parents under 18, who cannot live with their parents or partner, should be provided with suitable accommodation with support by 2003. To date the Housing Corporation has approved funding for over 1,500 new units of supported accommodation for young parents. Supported housing offers young parents adult and peer support to help prepare them for independent living and facilitate their return to education or employment.

Local Government Finance

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what plans he has to take account of the costs of council tax collection within the review of the local government finance system;
	(2)  what plans he has to take account of the costs associated with homelessness within the review of the local government finance system;
	(3)  what plans he has to take account of the costs associated with visitors in the allocation of formula grant to each local authority;
	(4)  what estimate he has made of the financial effects of the removal of the density indicator within the environmental, protective and cultural services formula grant, broken down by local authority;
	(5)  what plans he has to take account of the costs associated with services to non-residents in the allocation of formula grant to each local authority;
	(6)  if he will make a statement on the impact of his proposed changes to the environmental, protective and cultural services block within the local authority formula grant on London.

Christopher Leslie: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government launched a consultation on options for the reform of the local government finance system. This included authority-by-authority detailed exemplification of options for the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services block, to which all these questions relate. No decisions have yet been taken and we welcome representations from all interested parties.

Housing Corporation

Karen Buck: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how he plans to ensure that in (a) the financial year 2003–04 and (b) future years the Housing Corporation investment programme for London reflects housing need.

Tony McNulty: The Housing Corporation's National Investment Strategy sets out the national objectives for the Approved Development Programme and the national targets. The Corporation also produces a London Investment Strategy which contains priorities for investment in that region. In addition, the Government office for London and the Housing Corporation's London office produce a London Housing Statement working closely with local and regional stakeholders including local authorities and housing associations. The statement highlights key housing issues and pressures and helps to identify regional priorities.

Housing Corporation

Karen Buck: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the criteria by which the recent additional grant to the Housing Corporation Draft Programme in London will be allocated; and what steps he will take to ensure that those areas with the most acute levels of housing need and homelessness derive the maximum amount of additional assistance.

Tony McNulty: The regional cash limit for London for 2002–03 was increased in line with priorities set out in the Housing Corporation's Regional Investment Strategy. Of the programme: 60 per cent. is targeted on schemes to increase the supply of affordable housing; 20 per cent. is going to the London Housing Partnership supply initiative which is specifically focused on homeless families; 15 per cent. to support regeneration programmes which have a significant housing element; and 5 per cent. to projects that demonstrate innovation, address pan-London issues or sub-regional supported housing schemes.

Housing Corporation

Karen Buck: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to ensure that in financial year 2003–04 the London boroughs are consulted about the Housing Corporation investment programme.

Tony McNulty: When drawing up the Regional Housing Statement and the Regional Investment Strategy, the Housing Corporation's London office consults all the London boroughs through an Officers' Working Group. The Housing Corporation also consults the association of London Housing Directors, and meets a representative group of Association of London Members as a matter of routine.

Affordable Housing

Karen Buck: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what plans he has to ensure that (a) the development of affordable housing on major regeneration sites in London is economically sustainable and (b) households will choose to move to such developments;
	(2)  what plans he has to ensure that local authorities in London are consulted in relation to proposals for the development of affordable housing on major regeneration sites.

Tony McNulty: The Government see the provision of new affordable housing to meet the needs of homeless households and key workers in London as a key priority for the capital. For this reason we have increased the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme for 2002–03 to enable more affordable homes for rent and low-cost home ownership to be built. We are also keen to ensure that new affordable housing is developed cost-effectively so as to maximise the contribution that funding can make. At the same time we remain aware of the need to take into account local housing needs and priorities to meet the demand at local level and create sustainable communities in places where people will want to live.
	Investment in affordable housing on major regeneration sites in London is an issue being addressed as part of the on-going work on the preparation of the 2002 edition of the London Housing Statement which is due for publication in a few weeks time. The Government office for London is continuing to work closely with the Housing Corporation and representatives of the London boroughs to ensure that all parties are adequately consulted before final investment decisions are made.

Planning

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to implement the proposals on planning tariffs set out in the Planning Green Paper; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government's consultation paper "Reforming Planning Obligations: delivering a fundamental change", published in December 2001, proposed the introduction of a tariff-based approach to planning obligations. We received over 500 responses, the majority of which welcomed our proposals. Ministers are considering policy options and there will be a policy statement in due course.

Planning

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received from groups interested in housing development and conservation; what the conclusions from those meetings were; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received representations from a number of local and national groups interested in housing development and conservation. These groups include the RSPB, CPRE, FoE, WWF and Green Alliance. The representations have principally concerned our proposals to reform the planning system but have underlined the importance of planning to meet housing needs in the most sustainable way practicable. This is entirely consistent with our planning policies for housing.

Special Advisers

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he last met the Government's special adviser on urban policy; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government have no special adviser specifically for urban policy. However, I assume the hon. Member is referring to Lord Rogers of Riverside, who chaired the Urban Task Force which reported in June 1999. The Deputy Prime Minister is due to meet Lord Rogers this week to discuss urban policy issues and how the Government can help deliver a lasting urban renaissance.

Young Disabled People (Housing)

Tim Boswell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to increase the supply of independent housing available to young disabled people.

Tony McNulty: Local housing authorities have a responsibility to produce a housing strategy which sets out plans to address the range of housing needs in their area. This includes all groups with special needs where the strategy must link into the provision of associated support services. Decisions on how these should be addressed are taken locally on the basis of the assessment of the nature and scale of the different housing needs.
	The Housing Corporation through the Approved Development Programme (ADP) and Supported Housing Management Grant (SHMG) provide specially adapted housing and support for the disabled. The Housing Corporation through its National Investment Strategy sets out the priorities against which registered social landlords should bid for resources for both ADP and SHMG. Included in these priorities are supported housing for people with physical disabilities. The ADP is set to rise to £1.2 billion in 2003–04, almost double the planned expenditure for 2000–01.
	Local housing authorities have a statutory duty to offer Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) to eligible applicants who require adaptations to help them live independently in their own homes. The grant is available to home owners and tenants in both the private and social rented sector. It is subject to a means test. The Government meet 60 per cent. of the total local authority expenditure incurred on DFGs through the payment of specified capital grant. The budget for this grant for English authorities in 2002–03 is £88 million compared with £56 million in 1997–98, an increase of nearly 60 per cent.

Evictions

Karen Buck: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) council tenants and (b) RSL tenants were evicted for (i) rent arrears, (ii) anti-social behaviour and (iii) other reasons in each year from 1992–93 to 2001–02.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, ongoing discussions between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Court Service are looking at ways of getting a more detailed breakdown of the data on possession order cases by social landlords.

Evictions

Karen Buck: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many families with children have been evicted in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Planning Green Paper

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a list of the respondents to the planning Green Paper.

Tony McNulty: A copy was placed in the Library on 27 May.

Local Government Boundaries

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to reform local government terminology to make clear the difference between administrative boundaries and the historic boundaries of the traditional counties of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The Government have no plans to introduce legislation for changes in terminology. The legislative agenda is already substantial and there are many other and pressing priorities in the Government's programme.

Social Exclusion

Frank Field: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much public expenditure went to each of the excluded neighbourhoods defined by the Social Exclusion Unit in the last 12 months; and what the average sum was.

Tony McNulty: It is not currently possible to break down all public expenditure to a small area level such as the excluded neighbourhoods defined by the SEU. We recognise the importance of gathering this information on a national basis. We are designing mechanisms to do this and aim to take this forward through the Neighbourhood Statistics Initiative.
	For the Neighbourhood Renewal programmes that are targeted on the 88 most deprived areas, the provisional outturn figure for expenditure in 2001–02 is £305.7 million. All of the £200 million provision of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund has been issued as per Special Grant Report 78 made under Section 88a of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. On this basis the average sum spent by these programmes in each of the 88 deprived areas in 2001–02 was £3.47 million.

European Congress of Twinned Towns

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the 8th European Congress of Twinned Towns; what the nature of the United Kingdom representation was; what funding share fell to the United Kingdom; and if it is his policy to divest these meetings of a party political slant.

Christopher Leslie: UK representation at the 8th European Congress of Twinned Towns, held in Antwerp on 22–24 May 2002, included a cross party delegation from the Local Government Association's Local Government International Bureau, which has responsibility for arranging town twinning, and representatives of several local authorities. The Congress was co-funded by the European Commission, the City of Antwerp and by private sponsorship. In the UK, town twinning is a politically neutral activity and is supported on a cross party basis.

Disability Access

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps the Government are taking to improve disability access; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: My officials, with the assistance of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, have been preparing proposals for amendments to Part M of the Building Regulations relating to access for disabled people. I expect to make an announcement before the summer recess about publication of the proposals for public consultation.

Empty Properties

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of domestic properties in England left empty for (a) six to 12 months and (b) more than a year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Data for local authority (LA), Registered Social Landlord (RSL) and 'other' private sector tenures is available and shown in the tables. Length of time 'other' public sector dwellings are vacant is not collected centrally.
	
		Table 1: Number of LA vacant dwellings in England at 1 April
		
			  All vacants Vacant more than 6 months and less than 12 months Vacant more than 12 months 
		
		
			 2001 80,300 11,100 20,400 
			 2000 87,200 11,700 21,500 
			 1999 83,900 10,600 18,100 
			 1998 81,700 10,600 16,000 
			 1997 81,200 9,400 13,000 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Number of RSL vacant dwellings in England at 1 April
		
			  All vacants Vacant more than 6 months and less than 12 months Vacant more than 12 months 
		
		
			 2001 41,300 5,100 9,800 
			 2000 37,500 5,100 7,200 
			 1999 32,600 3,800 5,500 
			 1998 29,300 4,100 4,800 
			 1997 26,800 (12)— (12)— 
		
	
	(12) Not applicable
	Data for 'other' private sector vacant dwellings are not collected in exactly the same format as for LA and RSL dwellings. Only data on dwellings vacant for more than six to 12 months are collected (as opposed to data on those dwellings vacant for more than six, but less than 12 months).
	
		Table 3: Number of 'other' private sector vacant dwellings in England at 1 April
		
			  All vacants Vacant more than 6 months Vacant more than 12 months 
		
		
			 2001 622,600 310,200 (13)— 
			 2000 623,200 278,900 201,900 
			 1999 637,000 (13)— 212,900 
			 1998 623,300 (13)— 220,100 
			 1997 640,200 (13)— 233,300 
		
	
	(13) Not available
	Notes:
	1. Figures rounded to the nearest 100.
	2. There will always be a certain level of empty homes for operational reasons, including those waiting to be demolished or those vacant for very short periods between tenants.
	Sources:
	ODPM's annual Housing Investment Programme (HIP) returns (Tables 1 and 3) and the Housing Corporation's annual HAR 10 and Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR) (Table 2)

Bed-and-breakfast Accommodation

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the numbers of homeless households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

Tony McNulty: The latest figures indicate that there are nearly 12,000 households in bed-and-breakfast hotels (B&B) of which an estimated 6,500 are families with children.
	In March this year, a £35 million programme was launched to help local authorities ensure that by March 2004 no homeless family with children are in B&B other than in an emergency, and even then for no more than six weeks. On 17 June £25 million was allocated to the 42 local authorities with the highest number of families with children in B&B hotels to help them meet the March 2004 commitment. We will now be working with the next 40 highest using authorities to see how we can help them reduce B&B hotel numbers.
	Authorities have also been sent a 10-point check list of good practice outlining the key 'building blocks' in reducing B&B use. Regional seminars have been held and examples of good practice have been shared through a newsletter and via the ODPM website at: www.housing.odpm.gov.uk/bbu/ news/pdf/news0302.pdf.
	In addition, all local authorities will benefit from recent changes to housing benefit subsidy levels, worth an estimated £10 million, which provide an incentive to lease private sector homes as a better quality alternative to B&Bs.

New Homes

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homes have been newly built in each of the last five years, broken down by region.

Tony McNulty: The numbers of homes newly built in each of the last five years, broken down by region, are shown in the table.
	
		Thousands
		
			  Government office region  
			 Financial year North East North West Yorkshire and the Humber East Midlands West Midlands East London South East South West England 
		
		
			 1997–98 7.6 19.2 15.5 14.6 13.4 21.3 13.6 25.4 19.0 149.6 
			 1998–99 6.7 19.0 13.1 14.7 14.0 19.9 12.9 23.3 15.9 138.6 
			 1999–2000 7.4 18.9 13.4 16.4 15.3 18.7 12.5 23.2 15.9 141.8 
			 2000–01 6.8 19.7 13.4 13.6 13.9 16.2 14.2 22.0 15.0 134.7 
			 2001–02(14) 6.3 16.7 13.1 13.9 13.3 15.5 13.8 21.8 15.4 129.9 
		
	
	(14) Provisional

Social Housing

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list for each English housing authority the level of (a) investment in new council housing and (b) public financial support through the Housing Corporation for the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The table provides figures for total expenditure on new council housing and funding provided through the Housing Corporation in England. I am arranging for a table setting out the figures for individual local authorities to be placed in the Library.
	
		
			Support from Housing Corporation through:  
			  Local authority new build(15) Approved Development Programme Local authority Social Housing Grant 
		
		
			 1997–98 45.1 683.4 363.1 
			 1998–99 44.2 606.4 334.6 
			 1999–2000 48.4 638.1 327.7 
			 2000–01 21.5 717.0 399.9 
			 2001/02 (16)— 774.5 410.4 
		
	
	(15) Figures for 1997–98 to 1999–2000 include acquisitions of dwellings
	(16) Not available

Social Housing

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) council and (b) RSL dwellings there were at the latest available date in each constituency.

Tony McNulty: Latest available information as reported by local authorities in England on their annual Housing Investment Programme returns, is presented in the table. Figures relate to stock within each local authority's geographical administrative area.
	
		Dwelling stock owned by local authorities and registered social landlords in England: 2001
		
			 Local/unitary authority  Region LA(17) RSL(18) 
		
		
			 Adur SE 2,965 687 
			 Allerdale NW 4 9,110 
			 Alnwick NE 2,139 617 
			 Amber Valley EM 6,076 1,333 
			 Arun SE 3,715 1,983 
			 Ashfield EM 8,395 1,157 
			 Ashford SE 5,979 1,122 
			 Aylesbury Vale SE 8,198 977 
			 Babergh E 3,870 968 
			 Barking and Dagenham L 22,902 1,936 
			 Barnet L 12,029 5,332 
			 Barnsley YH 24,701 1,815 
			 Barrow-in-Furness NW 3,462 608 
			 Basildon E 12,507 4,653 
			 Basingstoke and Deane SE 0 11,004 
			 Bassetlaw EM 8,360 771 
			 Bath and North East Somerset SW 0 11,283 
			 Bedford E 0 10,117 
			 Berwick-upon-Tweed NE 2,351 229 
			 Bexley L 0 13,249 
			 Birmingham WM 85,516 33,618 
			 Blaby EM 2,431 577 
			 Blackburn with Darwen NW 252 3,050 
			 Blackpool NW 6,172 1,278 
			 Blyth Valley NE 7,846 1,873 
			 Bolsover EM 6,241 850 
			 Bolton NW 21,749 6,170 
			 Boston EM 3 5,143 
			 Bournemouth SW 5,421 2,366 
			 Bracknell Forest SE 6,257 1,610 
			 Bradford YH 26,197 9,259 
			 Braintree E 9,127 1,304 
			 Breckland E 2 8,095 
			 Brent L 10,801 11,563 
			 Brentwood E 3,050 534 
			 Bridgnorth WM 2,610 430 
			 Brighton and Hove SE 13,179 4,674 
			 Bristol SW 32,242 8,109 
			 Broadland E 0 4,262 
			 Bromley L 0 17,377 
			 Bromsgrove WM 3,417 503 
			 Broxbourne E 3,675 869 
			 Broxtowe EM 5,124 922 
			 Burnley NW 0 6,653 
			 Bury NW 9,327 3,992 
			 Calderdale YH 0 15,583 
			 Cambridge E 8,237 3,035 
			 Camden L 26,797 8,153 
			 Cannock Chase WM 6,675 1,158 
			 Canterbury SE 5,592 1,498 
			 Caradon SW 3,827 570 
			 Carlisle NW 8,010 2,673 
			 Carrick SW 4,012 894 
			 Castle Morpeth NE 2,874 334 
			 Castle Point E 1,686 383 
			 Charnwood EM 6,476 1,741 
			 Chelmsford E 7,054 1,882 
			 Cheltenham SW 5,349 1,550 
			 Cherwell SE 4,072 2,527 
			 Chester NW 0 8,000 
			 Chesterfield EM 11,246 1,260 
			 Chester-le-Street NE 5,529 353 
			 Chichester SE 249 6,859 
			 Chiltern SE 0 4,585 
			 Chorley NW 3,393 2,931 
			 Christchurch SW 0 2,280 
			 City of London L 475 231 
			 Colchester E 6,976 2,546 
			 Congleton NW 0 4,181 
			 Copeland NW 4,276 3,194 
			 Corby EM 6,577 655 
			 Cotswold SW 0 5,044 
			 Coventry WM 0 25,450 
			 Craven YH 1,647 593 
			 Crawley SE 9,027 1,372 
			 Crewe and Nantwich NW 6,317 981 
			 Croydon L 15,233 8,106 
			 Dacorum E 11,417 1,942 
			 Darlington NE 6,500 1,708 
			 Dartford SE 4,780 935 
			 Daventry EM 3,469 1,090 
			 Derby EM 15,528 6,479 
			 Derbyshire Dales EM 3,287 346 
			 Derwentside NE 9,075 1,037 
			 Doncaster YH 26,845 2,154 
			 Dover SE 5,182 1,841 
			 Dudley WM 27,279 3,283 
			 Durham NE 7,550 1,333 
			 Ealing L 14,660 8,018 
			 Easington NE 12,297 1,701 
			 East Cambridgeshire E 0 4,394 
			 East Devon SW 4,506 1,193 
			 East Dorset SW 0 2,900 
			 East Hampshire SE 0 4,863 
			 East Hertfordshire E 6,029 1,212 
			 East Lindsey EM 0 6,116 
			 East Northamptonshire EM 0 4,836 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire YH 12,474 1,896 
			 East Staffordshire WM 0 6,659 
			 Eastbourne SE 4,166 2,015 
			 Eastleigh SE 0 5,697 
			 Eden NW 0 768 
			 Ellesmere Port and Neston NW 6,906 646 
			 Elmbridge SE 0 5,354 
			 Enfield L 13,183 5,074 
			 Epping Forest E 7,088 1,134 
			 Epsom and Ewell SE 0 2,145 
			 Erewash EM 6,066 827 
			 Exeter SW 5,598 2,827 
			 Fareham SE 2,646 764 
			 Fenland E 4,180 804 
			 Forest Heath E 2,933 546 
			 Forest of Dean SW 3,874 841 
			 Fylde NW 0 2,299 
			 Gateshead NE 26,165 4,222 
			 Gedling EM 3,839 1,346 
			 Gloucester SW 5,038 1,544 
			 Gosport SE 3,939 1,855 
			 Gravesham SE 6,579 667 
			 Great Yarmouth E 6,846 1,024 
			 Greenwich L 27,595 9,308 
			 Guildford SE 5,858 1,367 
			 Hackney L 28,364 18,449 
			 Halton NW 7,379 8,374 
			 Hambleton YH 0 4,549 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham L 14,421 10,941 
			 Harborough EM 2,413 459 
			 Haringey L 18,908 8,892 
			 Harlow E 11,014 1,075 
			 Harrogate YH 4,316 1,681 
			 Harrow L 5,929 2,257 
			 Hart SE 1 2,591 
			 Hartlepool NE 8,338 2,751 
			 Hastings SE 7 6,006 
			 Havant SE 0 4,550 
			 Havering L 12,004 1,613 
			 Herefordshire WM 5,974 4,959 
			 Hertsmere E 0 6,401 
			 High Peak EM 4,641 861 
			 Hillingdon L 11,574 3,944 
			 Hinckley and Bosworth EM 3,602 1,065 
			 Horsham SE 41 6,077 
			 Hounslow L 15,069 5,188 
			 Huntingdonshire E 0 8,627 
			 Hyndburn NW 3,774 1,376 
			 Ipswich E 9,117 2,982 
			 Isle of Wight SE 0 6,112 
			 Isles of Scilly SW 130 32 
			 Islington L 31,401 10,635 
			 Kennet SW 0 5,810 
			 Kensington and Chelsea L 7,167 11,910 
			 Kerrier SW 0 4,797 
			 Kettering EM 4,342 926 
			 Kings Lynn and West Norfolk E 7,846 1,639 
			 Kingston upon Hull YH 35,153 6,280 
			 Kingston upon Thames L 5,138 1,629 
			 Kirklees YH 28,269 4,420 
			 Knowsley NW 18,283 4,535 
			 Lambeth L 35,687 16,424 
			 Lancaster NW 4,285 1,906 
			 Leeds YH 69,925 13,740 
			 Leicester EM 25,837 8,801 
			 Lewes SE 3,533 1,124 
			 Lewisham L 31,378 8,686 
			 Lichfield WM 0 5,381 
			 Lincoln EM 8,803 1,005 
			 Liverpool NW 35,859 32,259 
			 Luton E 9,310 2,784 
			 Macclesfield NW 5,925 1,916 
			 Maidstone SE 6,731 1,042 
			 Maldon E 0 2,864 
			 Malvern Hills WM 0 4,280 
			 Manchester NW 53,054 25,059 
			 Mansfield EM 8,228 1,952 
			 Melton EM 2,040 359 
			 Mendip SW 0 5,589 
			 Merton L 7,046 3,875 
			 Mid Bedfordshire E 3,184 4,155 
			 Mid Devon SW 3,452 748 
			 Mid Suffolk E 3,762 721 
			 Mid Sussex SE 0 5,502 
			 Middlesbrough NE 13,904 4,412 
			 Milton Keynes SE 13,396 5,626 
			 Mole Valley SE 3,726 646 
			 New Forest SE 5,293 2,184 
			 Newark and Sherwood EM 6,125 1,642 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne NE 35,280 6,709 
			 Newcastle-under-Lyme WM 0 10,811 
			 Newham L 23,143 9,134 
			 North Cornwall SW 3,632 975 
			 North Devon SW 0 4,207 
			 North Dorset SW 0 3,546 
			 North East Derbyshire EM 9,344 477 
			 North East Lincolnshire YH 9,264 1,854 
			 North Hertfordshire E 8,656 1,767 
			 North Kesteven EM 4,208 516 
			 North Lincolnshire YH 11,123 1,087 
			 North Norfolk E 5,146 1,007 
			 North Shropshire WM 2,622 547 
			 North Somerset SW 6,675 1,579 
			 North Tyneside NE 20,151 4,653 
			 North Warwickshire WM 3,406 686 
			 North West Leicestershire EM 5,084 1,274 
			 North Wiltshire SW 0 6,607 
			 Northampton EM 14,205 2,146 
			 Norwich E 18,206 2,972 
			 Nottingham City EM 34,792 8,778 
			 Nuneaton and Bedworth WM 7,128 1,230 
			 Oadby and Wigston EM 1,391 386 
			 Oldham NW 18,818 5,007 
			 Oswestry WM 2,166 411 
			 Oxford SE 8,211 2,931 
			 Pendle NW 4,024 1,178 
			 Penwith SW 0 4,026 
			 Peterborough E 11,300 4,008 
			 Plymouth SW 17,506 5,972 
			 Poole SW 4,860 1,886 
			 Portsmouth SE 11,285 3,854 
			 Preston NW 7,678 5,258 
			 Purbeck SW 1,660 665 
			 Reading SE 7,609 2,922 
			 Redbridge L 5,344 3,014 
			 Redcar and Cleveland NE 12,109 2,087 
			 Redditch WM 7,132 1,131 
			 Reigate and Banstead SE 4,859 1,271 
			 Restormel SW 0 4,167 
			 Ribble Valley NW 1,343 454 
			 Richmond upon Thames L 0 9,249 
			 Richmondshire YH 1,925 248 
			 Rochdale NW 16,831 5,268 
			 Rochford E 1,906 871 
			 Rossendale NW 4,650 856 
			 Rother SE 0 3,943 
			 Rotherham YH 27,489 3,188 
			 Rugby WM 4,342 1,548 
			 Runnymede SE 3,268 637 
			 Rushcliffe EM 3,622 551 
			 Rushmoor SE 0 5,372 
			 Rutland EM 1,340 234 
			 Ryedale YH 2 2,752 
			 Salford NW 30,119 6,070 
			 Salisbury SW 5,703 1,497 
			 Sandwell WM 37,623 4,854 
			 Scarborough YH 5,221 1,590 
			 Sedgefield NE 10,597 1,339 
			 Sedgemoor SW 4,558 1,634 
			 Sefton NW 13,546 6,866 
			 Selby YH 3,673 861 
			 Sevenoaks SE 0 6,310 
			 Sheffield YH 63,173 8,398 
			 Shepway SE 3,793 1,422 
			 Shrewsbury and Atcham WM 5,593 745 
			 Slough SE 7,758 2,314 
			 Solihull WM 12,153 1,574 
			 South Bedfordshire E 5,710 1,307 
			 South Buckinghamshire SE 15 3,264 
			 South Cambridgeshire E 6,067 1,083 
			 South Derbyshire EM 3,712 496 
			 South Gloucestershire SW 8,473 2,252 
			 South Hams SW 16 3,934 
			 South Holland EM 4,242 442 
			 South Kesteven EM 7,182 793 
			 South Lakeland NW 3,706 858 
			 South Norfolk E 4,556 1,105 
			 South Northamptonshire EM 3,076 469 
			 South Oxfordshire SE 0 6,010 
			 South Ribble NW 0 5,029 
			 South Shropshire WM 16 2,124 
			 South Somerset SW 0 9,694 
			 South Staffordshire WM 0 6,173 
			 South Tyneside NE 22,731 4,000 
			 Southampton SE 18,486 4,588 
			 Southend-on-Sea E 6,579 2,592 
			 Southwark L 48,999 11,797 
			 Spelthorne SE 0 4,862 
			 St. Albans E 5,664 1,299 
			 St. Edmundsbury E 6,278 1,182 
			 St. Helens NW 15,087 3,849 
			 Stafford WM 6,361 1,268 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands WM 0 3,727 
			 Stevenage E 9,533 1,222 
			 Stockport NW 13,305 4,425 
			 Stockton-on-Tees NE 14,049 3,080 
			 Stoke-on-Trent WM 22,329 5,908 
			 Stratford-on-Avon WM 0 6,377 
			 Stroud SW 5,579 972 
			 Suffolk Coastal E 32 5,986 
			 Sunderland NE 0 39,663 
			 Surrey Heath SE 0 3,000 
			 Sutton L 8,934 3,023 
			 Swale SE 0 7,577 
			 Swindon SW 11,488 2,916 
			 Tameside NW 0 20,574 
			 Tamworth WM 5,522 1,213 
			 Tandridge SE 2,885 487 
			 Taunton Deane SW 6,672 1,293 
			 Teesdale NE 1,026 546 
			 Teignbridge SW 3,771 944 
			 Telford and Wrekin WM 0 14,886 
			 Tendring E 3,547 1,943 
			 Test Valley SE 25 6,239 
			 Tewkesbury SW 0 3,919 
			 Thanet SE 3,539 4,028 
			 The Medway Towns SE 3,364 3,270 
			 Three Rivers E 4,180 875 
			 Thurrock E 11,046 1,191 
			 Tonbridge and Malling SE 0 6,988 
			 Torbay SW 0 4,498 
			 Torridge SW 1,810 555 
			 Tower Hamlets L 27,045 13,527 
			 Trafford NW 10,699 6,328 
			 Tunbridge Wells SE 43 6,888 
			 Tynedale NE 0 3,808 
			 Uttlesford E 3,066 703 
			 Vale of White Horse SE 11 5,627 
			 Vale Royal NW 7,165 1,160 
			 Wakefield YH 36,559 3,199 
			 Walsall WM 26,952 5,548 
			 Waltham Forest L 13,439 7,450 
			 Wandsworth L 18,496 9,186 
			 Wansbeck NE 6,883 532 
			 Warrington NW 10,738 4,667 
			 Warwick WM 6,111 2,166 
			 Watford E 4,593 846 
			 Waveney E 5,284 2,194 
			 Waverley SE 5,333 1,050 
			 Wealden SE 3,405 1,269 
			 Wear Valley NE 5,847 1,335 
			 Wellingborough EM 5,259 808 
			 Welwyn Hatfield E 9,953 1,760 
			 West Berkshire SE 58 8,143 
			 West Devon SW 0 1,802 
			 West Dorset SW 0 5,932 
			 West Lancashire NW 8,067 732 
			 West Lindsey EM 0 4,320 
			 West Oxfordshire SE 0 4,717 
			 West Somerset SW 0 2,220 
			 West Wiltshire SW 22 6,205 
			 Westminster L 13,578 11,923 
			 Weymouth and Portland SW 0 3,771 
			 Wigan NW 26,590 2,763 
			 Winchester SE 5,597 1,612 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead SE 0 7,265 
			 Wirral NW 16,237 8,150 
			 Woking SE 3,659 1,070 
			 Wokingham SE 2,941 1,113 
			 Wolverhampton WM 29,427 4,970 
			 Worcester WM 5,059 1,438 
			 Worthing SE 11 4,139 
			 Wychavon WM 0 7,186 
			 Wycombe SE 6,946 1,826 
			 Wyre NW 0 3,496 
			 Wyre Forest WM 0 6,717 
			 York YH 8,775 3,389 
		
	
	(17) At 1 April 2001
	(18) At 31 March 2001
	Note:
	Local authority stock is that owned by the authority and within its geographical boundary
	Source:
	LA stock: ODPM Housing Investment Programme annual returns
	RSL stock: Housing Corporation annual Regulatory and Statistical returns

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Class Sizes

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the local education authorities in which (a) primary and (b) secondary school class sizes have risen since 1 May 1997, ranking these from largest to smallest increase in class sizes; and if she will make a statement.

David Miliband: holding answer 4 July 2002
	The available information is shown in the table. The change in average class size is not readily available for those local education authorities that underwent local Government reorganisation in 1997 and 1998. The table is therefore shown in two parts: the list for local education authorities which are unaffected by local Government reorganisation; and the second for those that are.
	
		A. Local education authorities unaffected by local government reorganisation ranked in order by the increase in the average class size(19) in maintained primary and secondary schools in England -- As at January each year
		
			 Maintained Primary Maintained Secondary 
			   1997  2002(20) Difference between 1997 and 2002   1997  2002(20) Difference between 1997 and 2002 
		
		
			 Lambeth 25.2 26.3 1.1 North Somerset 20.4 22.3 1.9 
			 Barnet 26.2 27.0 0.8 Kingston upon Thames 20.2 21.8 1.6 
			 Haringey 26.9 27.7 0.8 Sutton 20.7 22.1 1.4 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 25.3 26.1 0.8 Bristol, City of 21.1 22.4 1.3 
			 Lewisham 26.1 26.8 0.8 Wakefield 22.2 23.4 1.2 
			 Dudley 26.5 27.1 0.6 Lincolnshire 20.2 21.4 1.2 
			 Brent 26.5 27.1 0.6 Hackney 22.3 23.4 1.2 
			 Sheffield 26.9 27.3 0.4 East Riding of Yorkshire 21.0 22.2 1.2 
			 Hackney 26.1 26.5 0.4 Lewisham 20.7 21.9 1.1 
			 Tower Hamlets 26.2 26.4 0.2 Croydon 22.2 23.3 1.1 
			 Westminster 24.2 24.3 0.2 Wandsworth 22.0 23.0 1.1 
			 Surrey 26.2 26.4 0.1 Barking and Dagenham 20.8 21.9 1.1 
			 Newham 27.9 28.0 0.1 Solihull 21.9 22.9 1.0 
			 Hounslow 26.8 26.9 0.1 Kensington and Chelsea 20.2 21.2 1.0 
			 Islington 26.6 26.6 0.1 Brent 20.5 21.5 1.0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 25.3 25.3 0.0 Bromley 20.4 21.3 1.0 
			 Wandsworth 25.8 25.7 -0.1 Barnet 19.8 20.7 0.9 
			 Hertfordshire 27.1 26.9 -0.1 Harrow 22.9 23.7 0.9 
			 Redbridge 28.4 28.3 -0.2 Northamptonshire 21.0 21.8 0.9 
			 Waltham Forest 26.6 26.4 -0.2 Enfield 20.7 21.5 0.8 
			 Camden 27.1 26.9 -0.2 Bexley 21.8 22.6 0.7 
			 North Somerset 27.8 27.5 -0.3 Haringey 21.6 22.3 0.7 
			 Greenwich 26.0 25.7 -0.3 Hertfordshire 20.3 20.9 0.6 
			 Hillingdon 27.2 26.8 -0.3 Wigan 21.5 22.1 0.6 
			 Southwark 26.4 26.1 -0.4 Gateshead 20.4 21.0 0.6 
			 Wolverhampton 26.9 26.5 -0.4 Barnsley 23.2 23.7 0.5 
			 Suffolk 25.0 24.6 -0.4 Sheffield 22.7 23.2 0.5 
			 Ealing 27.1 26.6 -0.5 Norfolk 20.2 20.7 0.5 
			 Barking and Dagenham 27.0 26.4 -0.6 Trafford 21.7 22.1 0.5 
			 Birmingham 27.7 27.1 -0.7 Kirklees 22.5 22.9 0.4 
			 North Lincolnshire 27.7 27.0 -0.7 Leeds 20.7 21.1 0.4 
			 West Sussex 26.8 26.1 -0.7 Rochdale 22.8 23.2 0.4 
			 Havering 27.9 27.2 -0.7 Westminster 21.5 21.9 0.4 
			 Harrow 27.5 26.8 -0.8 St. Helens 19.9 20.3 0.4 
			 Bristol, City of 27.2 26.5 -0.8 Ealing 22.4 22.8 0.4 
			 Richmond upon Thames 27.2 26.4 -0.8 Bath and North East Somerset 20.7 21.1 0.4 
			 Bromley 28.5 27.7 -0.8 West Sussex 21.6 22.0 0.4 
			 Lincolnshire 26.9 26.0 -0.8 Surrey 21.7 22.0 0.4 
			 Norfolk 25.9 25.1 -0.8 North Lincolnshire 22.5 22.8 0.4 
			 Enfield 29.1 28.2 -0.8 Gloucestershire 21.5 21.9 0.3 
			 Croydon 28.3 27.4 -0.9 Cornwall 22.0 22.4 0.3 
			 Sutton 28.1 27.2 -0.9 Bury 23.1 23.4 0.3 
			 Cornwall 27.3 26.3 -1.0 Somerset 23.2 23.5 0.3 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 27.0 26.0 -1.0 Suffolk 21.1 21.3 0.2 
			 Bexley 28.8 27.6 -1.1 Calderdale 20.9 21.1 0.2 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 27.6 26.5 -1.1 Hillingdon 21.1 21.2 0.1 
			 Manchester 27.2 26.1 -1.2 Manchester 22.4 22.5 0.1 
			 Gateshead 25.8 24.6 -1.2 Sunderland 21.3 21.4 0.1 
			 Doncaster 28.1 26.9 -1.2 Knowsley 22.1 22.2 0.1 
			 Liverpool 26.8 25.6 -1.2 Stockport 23.1 23.2 0.1 
			 Bury 28.3 27.1 -1.2 Stockton-on-Tees 22.2 22.3 0.1 
			 Kingston upon Thames 29.4 28.1 -1.3 Walsall 20.7 20.8 0.1 
			 Wakefield 28.2 26.9 -1.3 North East Lincolnshire 23.2 23.3 0.1 
			 South Gloucestershire 28.5 27.2 -1.3 Northumberland 22.6 22.6 0.0 
			 Rotherham 27.7 26.4 -1.3 Havering 21.8 21.8 0.0 
			 Salford 27.3 25.9 -1.3 Hounslow 21.1 21.1 0.0 
			 Walsall 26.2 24.8 -1.4 Sandwell 21.7 21.7 0.0 
			 Barnsley 28.9 27.4 -1.5 Doncaster 21.5 21.5 0.0 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 26.8 25.3 -1.5 North Yorkshire 20.6 20.6 0.0 
			 Wirral 26.3 24.8 -1.5 Wirral 20.5 20.5 0.0 
			 Sefton 27.6 26.1 -1.5 Greenwich 22.5 22.4 0.0 
			 North Tyneside 27.1 25.6 -1.5 Wolverhampton 21.0 20.9 0.0 
			 Oldham 29.3 27.8 -1.5 Merton 22.7 22.7 -0.1 
			 Northamptonshire 27.0 25.5 -1.5 Bolton 22.1 22.0 -0.1 
			 Sunderland 26.0 24.4 -1.5 Salford 22.1 22.1 -0.1 
			 Somerset 27.6 26.0 -1.6 Hartlepool 22.0 21.9 -0.1 
			 North Yorkshire 26.3 24.6 -1.7 Tameside 23.0 22.9 -0.1 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 28.3 26.6 -1.7 Hammersmith and Fulham 22.6 22.5 -0.1 
			 Isle of Wight 25.9 24.1 -1.7 Richmond upon Thames 24.0 23.9 -0.1 
			 Middlesbrough 26.5 24.7 -1.7 Oxfordshire 22.2 22.1 -0.1 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 27.4 25.6 -1.7 Dudley 23.1 23.0 -0.1 
			 St. Helens 27.8 26.0 -1.7 Redcar and Cleveland 22.2 22.0 -0.1 
			 Stockport 27.8 26.0 -1.8 Warwickshire 22.2 22.0 -0.2 
			 Solihull 27.9 26.1 -1.8 South Gloucestershire 21.5 21.3 -0.2 
			 Calderdale 28.0 26.2 -1.8 Sefton 21.1 20.9 -0.2 
			 Cumbria 26.3 24.5 -1.8 Rotherham 21.7 21.4 -0.2 
			 Merton 27.3 25.4 -1.8 Liverpool 21.1 20.9 -0.3 
			 South Tyneside 27.0 25.2 -1.8 Newcastle upon Tyne 21.5 21.2 -0.3 
			 Coventry 27.6 25.7 -1.9 Coventry 22.6 22.3 -0.4 
			 North East Lincolnshire 28.1 26.3 -1.9 Redbridge 21.0 20.6 -0.4 
			 Leeds 28.3 26.4 -1.9 Oldham 22.2 21.8 -0.4 
			 Bradford 28.3 26.3 -2.0 Birmingham 21.8 21.4 -0.4 
			 Wigan 28.5 26.5 -2.0 Tower Hamlets 24.0 23.5 -0.5 
			 York 27.6 25.6 -2.0 Newham 24.5 24.0 -0.5 
			 Trafford 28.9 26.9 -2.0 North Tyneside 21.9 21.4 -0.5 
			 Kirklees 29.0 27.0 -2.0 Isle of Wight 22.3 21.8 -0.5 
			 Oxfordshire 27.2 25.1 -2.1 Camden 20.3 19.8 -0.5 
			 Gloucestershire 27.4 25.4 -2.1 Southwark 24.4 23.8 -0.5 
			 Hartlepool 28.0 25.8 -2.2 Cumbria 21.2 20.7 -0.5 
			 Knowsley 27.7 25.5 -2.2 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 24.3 23.7 -0.6 
			 Sandwell 28.9 26.8 -2.2 Islington 24.0 23.3 -0.7 
			 Warwickshire 28.5 26.4 -2.2 South Tyneside 22.7 22.0 -0.8 
			 Bolton 28.9 26.7 -2.2 York 21.6 20.8 -0.8 
			 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 28.8 26.6 -2.2 Lambeth 21.9 20.9 -1.0 
			 Northumberland 27.0 24.5 -2.4 Waltham Forest 23.6 22.6 -1.0 
			 Rochdale 29.6 27.0 -2.7 Middlesbrough 22.0 21.0 -1.0 
			 Tameside 29.3 26.5 -2.8 Bradford 23.2 21.8 -1.4 
			 City of London 26.0 (21)— — City of London 0.0 (21)— — 
			 Isles of Scilly 17.3 (21)— — Isles of Scilly 21.0 (21)— — 
		
	
	(19) Classes taught by 1 teacher.
	(20) Provisional
	(21) At the time of publication, submissions from these local education authorities had not been validated.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census
	
		B. Average class sizes(22) for local education authorities affected by local Government reorganisation in maintained primary and secondary schools in England -- As at January each year
		
			  Maintained Primary Maintained Secondary  
			   1997 2002(23) Difference between 1997 and 2002 1997 2002(23) Difference between 1997 and 2002 
		
		
			 Bedfordshire(23) 27.4 — — 22.5 — — 
			 Bedfordshire(24) — 24.6 — — 22.2 — 
			 Luton(24) — 26.0 — — 23.3 — 
			 Berkshire(23) 27.5 — — 20.7 — — 
			 Bracknell Forest(24) — 26.6 — — 20.6 — 
			 Reading(24) — 25.7 — — 19.0 — 
			 Slough(24) — 25.6 — — 20.6 — 
			 West Berkshire(24) — 24.8 — — 20.3 — 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead(24) — 24.9 — — 21.0 — 
			 Wokingham(24) — 25.7 — — 20.8 — 
			 Buckinghamshire(23) 27.9 — — 21.3 — — 
			 Buckinghamshire(24) — 25.4 — — 22.1 — 
			 Milton Keynes(24) — 25.9 — — 22.1 — 
			 Cambridgeshire(23) 28.2 — — 22.1 — — 
			 Cambridgeshire(24) — 27.1 — — 23.0 — 
			 Peterborough(24) — 27.1 — — 21.0 — 
			 Cheshire(23) 27.5 — — 21.3 — — 
			 Cheshire(24) — 25.6 — — 21.2 — 
			 Halton(24) — 24.6 — — 21.5 — 
			 Warrington(24) — 26.3 — — 22.3 — 
			 Derbyshire(23) 29.3 — — 22.2 — — 
			 Derbyshire(24) — 27.0 — — 22.3 — 
			 Derby(24) — 27.1 — — 22.4 — 
			 Dorset(23) 28.2 — — 21.8 — — 
			 Dorset(24) — 25.4 — — 22.7 — 
			 Bournemouth(24) — 27.2 — — 22.2 — 
			 Poole(24) — 27.0 — — 20.2 — 
			 Devon(23) 27.4 — — 21.4 — — 
			 Devon(24) — 25.4 — — 22.2 — 
			 Plymouth(24) — 27.1 — — 21.3 — 
			 Torbay(24) — 27.9 — — 20.8 — 
			 Durham(23) 28.5 — — 22.5 — — 
			 Durham(24) — 25.3 — — 21.9 — 
			 Darlington(24) — 28.0 — — 23.6 — 
			 East Sussex(23) 28.2 — — 21.4 — — 
			 East Sussex(24) — 27.6 — — 21.9 — 
			 Brighton and Hove(24) — 26.8 — — 22.5 — 
			 Essex(23) 27.3 — — 21.7 — — 
			 Essex(24) — 26.5 — — 21.9 — 
			 Southend-on-Sea(24) — 28.0 — — 21.0 — 
			 Thurrock(24) — 25.5 — — 23.5 — 
			 Hampshire(23) 27.9 — — 22.2 — — 
			 Hampshire(24) — 27.1 — — 22.9 — 
			 Portsmouth(24) — 26.4 — — 23.8 — 
			 Southampton(24) — 27.3 — — 22.2 — 
			 Hereford and Worcester(23) 26.0 — — 22.0 — — 
			 Herefordshire(24) — 24.7 — — 21.7 — 
			 Worcestershire(24) — 25.8 — — 22.4 — 
			 Kent(23) 28.0 — — 20.3 — — 
			 Kent(24) — 27.2 — — 21.0 — 
			 Medway(24) — 26.7 — — 20.8 — 
			 Lancashire(23) 28.8 — — 22.5 — — 
			 Lancashire(24) — 26.7 — — 22.4 — 
			 Blackburn with Darwen(24) — 27.2 — — 23.0 — 
			 Blackpool(24) — 27.9 — — 24.2 — 
			 Leicestershire(23) 26.7 — — 22.3 — — 
			 Leicestershire(24) — 25.9 — — 22.7 — 
			 Leicester(24) — 25.8 — — 24.1 — 
			 Rutland(24) — 25.2 — — 23.3 — 
			 Nottinghamshire(23) 28.7 — — 21.7 — — 
			 Nottinghamshire(24) — 26.8 — — 21.5 — 
			 Nottingham(24) — 26.0 — — 21.9 — 
			 Shropshire(23) 27.4 — — 21.9 — — 
			 Shropshire(24) — 25.6 — — 22.3 — 
			 Telford and Wrekin(24) — 27.1 — — 21.8 — 
			 Staffordshire(23) 27.5 — — 22.3 — — 
			 Staffordshire(24) — 25.2 — — 22.0 — 
			 Stoke-on-Trent(24) — 25.4 — — 22.7 — 
			 Wiltshire(23) 27.2 — — 21.7 — — 
			 Wiltshire(24) — 26.1 — — 21.9 — 
			 Swindon(24) — 27.5 — — 23.3 — 
		
	
	(22) Classes taught by 1 teacher
	(23) Before local Government re-organisation
	(24) After local Government re-organisation

Temporary Staff

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many part- and full-time employees under contract from temping agencies work within her Department; and how much was spent on temporary staff (a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the total staffing budget for each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 5 July 2002
	From January 2002 to May 2002 the Department has employed 850 agency staff at a cost of £1,072,019.32 which was 1.49 per cent. of the staffing budget. The following table provides details for the past five years.
	
		
			 Year Number of agency staff Financial year Agency spend for the financial year (£) Percentage of staffing budget 
		
		
			 1997 (25)— (25)— (25)— (25)— 
			 1998 (25)— 1997–98 133,670.63 0.09 
			 1999 468 1998–99 238,525.40 0.15 
			 2000 932 1999–2000 930,625.49 0.6 
			 2001 1619 2000–01 1,828,956.64 1.15 
		
	
	(25) Figures not available

Teacher:Pupil Ratio

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average teacher to pupil ratio in infant classes in South Tyneside was in each year since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not available centrally.
	Information for Primary schools is shown in the following table:
	
		Pupil:teacher ratio in maintained primary schools in South Tyneside local education authority -- Position in January each year
		
			   Pupil:teacher ratio(26) 
		
		
			 1997 23.4 
			 1998 23.1 
			 1999 22.5 
			 2000 22.2 
			 2001 21.3 
			 2002(27) 21.2 
		
	
	(26) The pupil:teacher ratio within schools is the ratio of the full-time equivalent number of pupils to the full-time equivalent number of teachers.
	(27) Provisional
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Teacher:Pupil Ratio

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average pupil to teacher ratio was in Derbyshire in each year between 1996 and 2001 in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools: pupil:teacher ratios by type of school primary, secondary schools: time series 1996 to 2001 -- Position in January each year
		
			   Pupil:teacher ratio  
			 Derbyshire local education authority  Primary schools(28) Secondary schools(28) 
		
		
			 1996 25.3 17.0 
			 1997 25.9 17.4 
			 1998 26.2 17.7 
			 1999 25.1 17.8 
			 2000 25.2 17.8 
			 2001 24.2 17.5 
		
	
	(28) Includes middle schools as deemed
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Teacher:Pupil Ratio

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 1 July 2002, Official Report, column 15W, on the pupil:teacher ratio, what the overall average pupil:teacher ratio in Suffolk was in each year since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 5 July 2002
	The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools: pupil:teacher ratios by type of school primary, secondary schools: time series 1997 to 2002(30) -- Position in January each year
		
			Pupil:teacher ratio  
			 Suffolk local education authority Primary Schools(29) Secondary Schools(29) 
		
		
			 1997 22.3 16.6 
			 1998 22.2 16.5 
			 1999 22.0 16.6 
			 2000 22.1 16.9 
			 2001 22.0 17.1 
			 2002(30) 21.6 16.9 
		
	
	(29) Includes middle schools as deemed
	(30) Provisional
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Infant Class Sizes (South Tyneside)

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average infant class size in South Tyneside was in each year since 1997; what the average sizes were in England in those years; and how many infants there were in classes in South Tyneside in each of these years.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Key Stage 1 classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools(31)—position in January each year: Time series 1997 to 2002 (provisional)—England and South Tyneside local education authority
		
			  South Tyneside England  
			  Number of pupils Average class size Number of pupils Average class size 
		
		
			 1997 5,669 26.6 1,646,660 26.9 
			 1998 5,583 27.0 1,654,287 27.1 
			 1999 5,441 25.0 1,629,716 26.5 
			 2000 5,333 24.6 1,614,641 25.8 
			 2001 5,031 24.0 1,575,160 25.2 
			 2002(32) 4,660 24.3 1,550,373 25.2 
		
	
	(31) Classes as taught during the one selected period in each school on the day of the census in January
	(32) Provisional
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Special Educational Needs

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the availability of transition plans to young people over 14 with a statement of special educational needs with particular reference to the obligations and compliance of local education authorities.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 9 July 2002
	The Education (Special Educational Needs) (England) (Consolidation) Regulations 2001 make provision for all young people over 14 with statements of special educational needs to have a transition plan. Head teachers are responsible for drawing up a transition plan following the year 9 annual review of a young person's statement where he or she is in school and submitting this to the local education authority. Where the young person attends either a non-maintained special school or an independent school or does not attend school the local education authority is responsible for preparing the transition plan.
	Figures on the numbers of young people with statements in year 9 onwards who have transition plans are not held centrally. The Department is aware of the importance of securing successful transitions for this group of young people and has commissioned a longitudinal study of 'Post-16 Transitions of Pupils with Special Educational Needs'. Its findings will inform policy development.

Special Educational Needs

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if it is her policy that parents of children with severe learning difficulties may choose whether to send their children to special schools or be integrated in mainstream schools;
	(2)  if it is her policy to allow parents of children with complex and severe special needs to choose whether to send their children to special schools or be integrated in mainstream schools.

Stephen Twigg: Children with special educational needs must be educated in a mainstream school unless that is incompatible with the wishes of the child's parents, or the provision of efficient education of other children. Where a child has a statement, and the parents do not wish the child to be educated in a mainstream school, then the local education authority may educate the child in a special school. The local education authority must name the parents' preferred choice of school on the statement unless the school is unsuitable, or the child's inclusion would be incompatible with the efficient education of other children or the efficient use of resources.
	Both mainstream and special schools have a role to play in the education of pupils with special educational needs, including those with severe and complex learning difficulties.

Special Educational Needs

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance she issues to local education authorities regarding (a) the optimum size of special schools and (b) whether children with severe learning difficulties should be taught within such schools or in mainstream schools.

Stephen Twigg: The Secretary of State does not issue specific guidance to local education authorities on the optimum size of special schools. Children with special educational needs must be educated in a mainstream school unless that is incompatible with the wishes of the child's parents, or the provision of efficient education of other children. Where a child has a statement, and the parents do not wish the child to be educated in a mainstream school, then the local education authority may educate the child in a special school. The local education authority must name the parents' preferred choice of school on the statement unless the school is unsuitable, or the child's inclusion would be incompatible with the efficient education of other children or the efficient use of resources.

Grammar Schools

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information she collates on the proportion of pupils of ethnic minority heritage selected to attend grammar schools in (a) Kent, (b) Buckinghamshire, (c) Bexley, (d) Wiltshire, (e) Torbay, (f) Lancashire and (g) Birmingham, compared with the proportions of those groups in the appropriate age cohort.

David Miliband: holding answer 5 July 2002
	The available information is collected through the Annual Schools' Census and records the ethnic background of pupils of compulsory school age and above in schools in England in January each year. The ethnic background of pupils in all maintained secondary schools is provided in the table as a proxy for the proportions in the general population.
	
		Percentage of pupils of ethnic minority heritage in grammar schools and all maintained secondary schools -- January 2001
		
			  Bexley Birmingham Buckinghamshire Kent Lancashire Torbay Wiltshire 
		
		
			  Grammar schools 
			 Number of schools 4 8 13 33 4 3 2 
			 Percentage of pupils classified as:
			 'White' minority ethnic origin(33) 89.2 56.1 77.7 97.1 93.1 98.8 98.4 
			 'Other' minority ethnic origin(33),(34) 10.8 43.9 22.3 2.9 6.9 1.2 1.6 
			 
			  All maintained secondary schools   
			 Number of schools 16 77 34 105 89 8 34 
			 Percentage of pupils classified as:
			 'White' minority ethnic origin(33) 89.4 56.4 79.7 96.5 93.3 98.6 98.4 
			 'Other' minority ethnic origin(33),(34) 10.6 43.6 20.3 3.5 6.7 1.4 1.6 
		
	
	(33) Expressed as a percentage of total pupils for which an ethnic origin has been reported.
	(34) Includes pupils of Black Heritage, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Chinese ethnic groups and any other minority ethnic group.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

School Playing Fields

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her Department's policy is on the sale of school playing fields.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has a presumption against the need to change the current pattern of playing field provision at schools. We are committed to funding schools and local education authorities so they are no longer forced to sell school playing fields to pay for school repairs. We have provided over £7 billion over the last five years for capital investment in schools and are making £6.5 billion available over the next two years for investment in school buildings.
	Before October 1998, there was nothing to prevent a local authority selling a school playing field if it wanted to. To protect school playing fields from such indiscriminate disposal, we introduced legislation on 1 October 1998 that requires local authorities to obtain the Secretary of State's consent before they can dispose, or change the use, of any school playing field or any part of a school playing field that has been used by schools in the last ten years.
	Applications to dispose, or change the use, of school playing fields are assessed against the following criteria:
	a. Schools' needs: that playing field provision and curriculum requirements at the school making the disposal, and at other schools in the local area, will be met;
	b. Community needs: that community use of a school's playing fields is taken into account, with alternative facilities made available if necessary;
	c. Finance: that any sale proceeds are re-invested to provide new or improved sports facilities at schools, or are used to help to raise standards by providing better educational facilities.
	Only those applications that meet the criteria are approved. All applications made since July 2001 have been scrutinised by the independent School Playing Fields Advisory Panel to make sure that they conform to the published criteria. The panel comprises representatives from the National Playing Fields Association, the Central Council of Physical Recreation, the education organisation Learning through Landscapes, the National Association of Head Teachers and the Local Government Association.

School Sponsorship

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the rules governing school sponsorship were last reviewed.

David Miliband: The rules governing specialist school sponsorship were last reviewed in May this year. As a result, we made one significant change to the criteria by reducing the amount of sponsorship required by small mainstream schools (defined as those with under 500 pupils on roll) to £100 per pupil, subject to a minimum of £20,000, rising to £50,000 for a school with 500 pupils.

Specialist Schools

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason schools cannot count funds raised by the school in their bids for specialist school status.

David Miliband: The guiding principles governing the eligibility of specialist school sponsorship are that it must be raised for the purpose of the application and be from a private sector source. Sponsorship from privately sourced school foundations and from parent teacher associations is acceptable. Where the school raises money by use of a public asset, such as the school's own premises, the funds are not eligible.

School Safety Surfaces

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the advice on impact absorbing surfaces contained in Building Bulletin 85 on school premises; if she will make a statement on the extent to which reprocessed scrap tyres have been used for safety surfaces in schools; and what plans she has to increase such use.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for Education and Skills does not have the statistics required to make an assessment of reprocessed scrap tyre usage in schools. It is for the individual local authorities and school governors to apply the guidance on good practice in the way they consider most appropriate. The DfES has no plans to recommend an increase in the use of reprocessed scrap tyres in the future.

School Building Repairs

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what measures are being taken to ensure that the additional funds provided to local education authorities secure a significant reduction in the backlog on school building repairs identified in the 2001 Asset Management Plan;
	(2)  when she will set a timetable for the elimination of the backlog on repairs to the school building stock;
	(3)  what steps she has taken to monitor annual progress towards the delivery of (a) new schools and (b) the refurbishment of schools as promised in the 2000 comprehensive spending review;
	(4)  what steps she is taking to ensure that the public funds allocated under the current comprehensive spending review are spent on (a) new schools and (b) refurbishment of schools.

Ivan Lewis: The great bulk of capital funding for schools is now allocated by formula to schools and local education authorities for them to address the investment priorities of their school buildings. These priorities are decided locally in the context of each authority's Asset Management Plan. The Department appraises each plan to ensure that prioritisation is done in an open, rigorous and consultative process, based on a full survey of the building needs of all the schools in the authority, and reflecting Government priorities. This process increases the amount and quality of local decision making and reduces the bureaucratic burden of bid based and hypothecated funding.
	While we wish to see the backlog of repairs eliminated, and provided £1.3 billion of New Deal for Schools capital grant funded from the windfall tax from 1998 until 2001 directly to address the most urgent needs, we also wish to move away from the patch and mend approach of the past to a strategic modernisation of our schools. Subsequent capital funding, such as the £6.5 billion being made available over the two years to 2003–04, is intended both to address repair needs and to take forward the modernisation of schools for the teaching and learning needs of the 21st century. Progress on each of these objectives will depend on the balance of local priorities in each local authority between repairs and modernisation needs.
	To reduce the bureaucratic burden, the Department does not require detailed information on how formulaic capital funding is invested. We do, however, have more detailed information on how capital funding is used from bid based programmes, including the New Deal for Schools from the windfall tax, the Private Finance Initiative and the Targeted Capital Fund, as well as investment in schools in the voluntary aided sector. Asset Management Plan returns provide periodic information on needs and, from this year, also on major capital projects in each authority. We have recently conducted a sample survey of the use of major formulaic programmes, and are considering how this information could be extended with minimum bureaucracy to provide evidence from which a national picture can be extrapolated.

Teacher Retirement

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the policy is on setting a fixed age of retirement for teachers in adult education.

Ivan Lewis: Adult education tutors are employed by the local authority, college or provider for whom they work. Their age of retirement is therefore a matter agreed between themselves and the employer. This means that the local authority, college or provider is able to retain tutors beyond the customary retirement age if there is a particular need or a shortage of expertise in a given area.
	We have no plans to restrict this and fully support colleges and providers in being able to plan and manage flexibly to meet the needs of learners.

Adult Education Courses

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her policy is on funding adult education courses which do not lead to a recognised qualification.

Ivan Lewis: In setting the remit for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the Government stressed that qualifications are very important and accreditation will continue to be appropriate for many courses. But we also want to see the LSC provide a wide range of opportunities including learning not leading to awards. The Government are increasing funding for adult education secured through local education authorities and now funded through the LSC. Nationally the budget is £167 million in 2002–03, an increase of 9 per cent. on the previous year.

Ring-fenced Grants

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what ring fenced grants were made available to local authorities in financial year 2001–02.

David Miliband: The following table shows the Department's ring-fenced grants made available to local education authorities in 2001–02. These are specific grants ring-fenced for specific purpose or activities or special grants paid under section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
	
		
			   £000 
		
		
			 Standards Fund 1,583,000 
			 School Standards Grant 631,307 
			 Education Budget Support Grant 52,394 
			 Teachers Pay Grants 479,275 
			 Nursery Education Grant 184,000 
			 Education Maintenance Allowance 98,000 
			 Childcare Grant 148,750 
			 GM Transitional Grants 10,335 
			 Education Action Zone Grant 62,615 
			 Capital Grants 704,000 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are in cash terms.
	The Government have simplified the operation of the Standards Fund, by far the largest specific grant for education. Since April 2001, schools have had more freedom to move funds between the different Standards Fund activities; separate auditing of the Standards Fund is no longer required; and the spending period for the Standards Fund was extended from 12 months to 17 months to give schools even more flexibility in planning expenditure. The School Standards Grant offers further freedom to schools.

Home Economics

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make it her policy to ensure that all schoolchildren at Key Stages I, II and III are taught (a) basic cooking skills and (b) good diet and nutrition; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: All primary pupils have a statutory entitlement to food technology within the national curriculum. They learn practical food handling skills, including food hygiene, and are encouraged to develop positive attitudes to food. At Key Stage 3, the Government strongly encourage secondary schools to offer pupils the opportunity to study food technology, and 90 per cent. do so. Food, nutrition and healthy eating are also taught within science and personal, social and health education.

Schools (Financial Reserves

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her Department's estimate is of the total financial reserves held by schools in the (a) last year for which figures are available and (b) preceding five years.

David Miliband: holding answer 10 July 2002
	The following table sets out the information requested, in respect of schools maintained by local education authorities in England.
	
		
			  Financial year Aggregate balances at end of year (£ million) 
		
		
			 2000–01 (35)1,041 
			 1999–2000 723 
			 1998–99 556 
			 1997–98 507 
			 1996–97 524 
			 1995–96 581 
		
	
	(35) Provisional
	The figures contained in the table have been derived from the outturn statements prepared by local education authorities under section 52 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (and corresponding previous legislation), and represent surpluses net of deficits. The figures for 2000–01 and 1999–2000 include the balances held by former grant-maintained schools, which amounted in total to approximately £108 million and £92 million respectively. I am investigating the practicability of providing information on grant-maintained schools' aggregate balances for 1998–99 and previous years, and I will write to my right hon. Friend to advise him of the outcome.

Teacher Work Load

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proposals she has to decrease the work load of teachers.

David Miliband: The School Teachers' Review Body recently published its report on teacher work load. A consultation on the principles contained in the report concluded on 3 July. The Government will issue a formal response to the report later this year. This is an important part of our more general drive to enable teachers to focus on the core professional elements of their job.

Teacher Retention

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are in place to improve teacher retention rates.

David Miliband: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills set out our plans to transform the school work force in her speech of last November to the Social Market Foundation. These plans directly address the key issues that we know teachers are most concerned about—work load, bureaucracy, professional development and status. 30 Pathfinder schools are testing different approaches for making improvements, and we will use the lessons learned to help the whole school work force nationwide. The number of teachers in our schools has already increased by more than 20,000 since 1997, and the number of support staff by more than 70,000.

Classroom Support Staff

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many classroom support staff are employed; and what plans there are to increase the number.

David Miliband: The provisional figure for full-time equivalent number of support staff in maintained schools in England in January 2002 is 213,012. This includes 103,624 teaching assistants, 49,050 administrative staff, 16,528 technicians and some 43,809 other staff. Plans for increasing this number will depend upon the spending review and decisions taken locally by schools.

Teacher Morale

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she is taking to improve morale among teachers.

David Miliband: Freeing teachers to concentrate on the core of their job and improving the status of the teaching profession more generally are central to our school work force reform agenda. The package of recommendations on work load made in a recent report by the School Teachers' Review Body reflects many of the issues raised by teachers themselves. A consultation on the principles contained in the report concluded on 3 July. The Government will issue a formal response to the report later this year.

New Teachers' Contract

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what consultations she will have on the proposed new contract for teachers.

David Miliband: Consultation on the recommendations in the School Teachers' Review Body's report on teacher work loads came to an end on 3 July. The Department's consultation letter of 8 May said that my right. hon. Friend would consult again on practical measures as appropriate in the light of this initial consultation. For the time being the Department is evaluating the initial consultation responses. Further consultation is likely to take place in the early autumn.

Educational Maintenance Allowance (Scotland)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the educational maintenance allowance scheme applies in Scotland; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: This is a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Graduate Teacher Programme

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many training places have been allocated in each county in England under the Graduate Teacher Programme in (a) this school year and (b) next school year.

David Miliband: The information is not available in the form requested. The table shows total numbers of Graduate Teacher Programme places awarded in 2001–02 by Government office region and the numbers of places for 2002–03 that have been awarded to date. Figures for 2002–03 do not therefore include approximately 600 places that have still to be allocated.
	
		
			   Number of places  
			 Government office region  2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 London 552 551 
			 South East 555 531 
			 South West 174 212 
			 North West 314 236 
			 North East 99 65 
			 Eastern 745 549 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 161 131 
			 West Midlands 327 267 
			 East Midlands 289 245 
			  
			 Total 3,216 2,787 
		
	
	Source:
	Teacher Training Agency

Special Schools

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list special schools with foundation school status which (a) were previously grant maintained and (b) have become foundation schools since grant maintained status was abolished.

Stephen Twigg: From the data available, the list of special schools with foundation school status is as follows:
	
		
			   LEA number Estab. number School name 
		
		
			 Lambeth 208 5950 Turney Primary and Secondary Special School 
			 Lambeth 208 5952 Thurlow Park Special School 
			 Lambeth 208 5951 Willowfield School 
			 Bromley 305 5950 Glebe School 
			 Hillingdon 312 5950 Chantry School 
			 Kingston upon Thames 314 5950 Bedelsford School 
			 Redbridge 317 5950 Little Heath School 
			 Waltham Forest 320 5950 Whitefield Schools and Centre 
			 Bedfordshire 820 5950 St. Margaret's Residential School 
			 Bedfordshire 820 5951 St. John's School 
			 Dorset 835 5950 Beaucroft Foundation School 
			 Poole 836 5951 Montacute School 
			 Dorset 835 5953 Westfield Technology College 
			 Bournemouth 837 5952 The Bicknell School 
			 Southend-on-Sea 882 5950 The St. Christopher School 
			 Essex 881 5951 The Endeavour School 
			 Leicester 856 5950 Emily Fortey School 
			 Nottinghamshire 891 5950 Foxwood Foundation School 
		
	
	All of the above schools were previously grant maintained and all became foundation schools since grant maintained status was abolished.

Entry to Employment

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement about progress in introducing Entry to Employment provision.

Stephen Twigg: In making its recommendations to encourage greater take up of Modern Apprenticeships, Sir John Cassels' Modern Apprenticeship Advisory Committee proposed the establishment of pre- employment provision for those young people not immediately able to enter a Modern Apprenticeship or other employment. The Learning and Skills Council and the Department have been working together over recent months with other relevant interests to develop a more effective set of arrangements in work-based learning that will enable more young people to progress to higher learning opportunities. To this end a pathfinder Entry to Employment programme will be introduced in the following areas from this August:
	Bedfordshire and Luton
	Bristol
	Central Birmingham and North Solihull
	Derbyshire
	Greater Manchester(Rochdale)
	Oxfordshire
	North Yorkshire
	Nottinghamshire
	Portsmouth and the South East Hampshire area
	Tyne and Wear (Newcastle and Gateshead).
	Current work-based learning provision beneath National Vocational Qualification at Level 2 will be subsumed within the new programme in which there will be a better focus on meeting individual aspiration and need. The Learning and Skills Council plan to evaluate the effectiveness of these pathfinders with a view to wider introduction of a new Entry to Employment programme by August 2003.

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the EU Advisory Committee on veterinary training is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	The last meeting of the Advisory Committee on Veterinary Training (ACVT) was held on 16 June 2000 and it was abolished later that year.
	Representatives of the Scottish Executive have never been members of this committee. Representation was at UK level.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

United Arab Emirates

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the embassy in the United Arab Emirates to contact lawyers on the embassy list on behalf of Mr. Clark since 20 February; and with what results.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 25 June 2002
	At the meeting with my noble Friend Baroness Amos on 20 February 2002, your constituent, Jason Clark, told us that his father was unable to find a lawyer to represent him. He understood that his father had tried, without success, all the lawyers on our embassy list.
	Following the meeting, embassy staff spoke with a local law firm on our list on 5 March 2002. Firstly, they advised us that any local lawyer would require a substantial fee in advance, and secondly, if Mr. Michael Clark were to recommence legal action, his appeal for clemency might not be considered by the Abu Dhabi authorities while proceedings were on-going. They also had no record of Michael Clark getting in touch with them previously.
	We advised Michael Clark accordingly. We also reminded him that our staff are not able to appoint a lawyer on behalf of a British national. However, if he wished to pursue a legal case, our offer to assist putting him in touch with a local lawyer remained. We also said that it would be helpful to us if he could list the local lawyers he had already tried.
	This issue had been discussed previously with Michael Clark himself during a meeting at the embassy on 20 January. However, at that time, he did not want to pursue any legal action.

Departmental Energy Use

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the estimated (a) level and (b) cost of energy use in his Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs, at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 July 2002, Official Report, columns 384–86W.

UN Racism Summit

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people attended the UN Racism summit in Durban in September 2001, from (a) his Department and (b) other UK Government Departments; and what the total cost of the visit was.

Denis MacShane: In addition to Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Baroness Amos and Home Office Minister Angela Eagle, 19 officials from UK Government Departments attended the UN World Conference Against Racism in Durban in September 2001 at an average cost of approximately £3,100.
	10 of these officials were from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, seven were from the Home Office, one was from the Department for Education and Skills and one was from the Scottish Executive.
	The Government publish on an annual basis details of all Ministers' visits overseas. Details of travel undertaken during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published in a similar form to previous years as soon as possible. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.

Building Values

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the buildings owned by his Department and estimate the market value of each of them.

Denis MacShane: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given him by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 339W.
	The FCO Section of the Register can be found at: http:// www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/mediastore/otherfiles/218.pdf

Female Staff

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the staff of his Department are women; and what the percentage was in June 1997.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 5 July 2002, Official Report, column 622W.

Buildings Insurance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of buildings insurance to his Department was (a) before and (b) after 11 September 2001.

Denis MacShane: The Government's general policy on insurance, set out in Government Accounting, Chapter 30, notes that Government only needs to purchase insurance to protect the viability of its business, where the value of claims met would exceed the cost of insurance premiums. Commercial insurance of a building is acceptable in cases where (a) insurance is a condition of a lease; (b) the lessor will not accept a Government indemnity; (c) incurring the total cost of the accommodation in question, including the cost of the insurance, is more cost-effective than other accommodation options.
	The FCO follows this policy.

Peacekeeping Forces

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the impact on British peacekeeping forces (a) in Bosnia, (b) in other regions in the world and (c) not yet deployed of the refusal by the US to extend its Bosnia mission by six months; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: On 30 June the US vetoed the UNSC resolution renewing the UNMIBH/SFOR mandate for Bosnia. An extension was agreed until 3 July to allow more time to seek a solution. It did not prove possible by this deadline to find a solution acceptable to Security Council Members. The Council therefore decided to extend the mandate until 15 July, to allow for further efforts to resolve the issue.
	The practical effect of this is that the UN police operation in Bosnia may continue for the time being. The basic operational capability of the SFOR peacekeeping mission is not affected. The legal base for this operation is also the Dayton peace agreement and the consent of the Bosnian parties. The US have made clear that they intend to maintain their contribution to SFOR.

Nepal

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will break down the £30 million package for the Nepalese Government according to (a) development aid and (b) military assistance.

Mike O'Brien: The UK has a substantial bilateral development programme in Nepal through DFID. The programme for this financial year amounts to £22 million. Of this, approximately £4 million will be spent on support for rural livelihoods, £5 million on enhancing rural infrastructure, £5 million on health programmes and £8 million on Government reform.
	We have also approved a further package of measures totalling approximately £6.5 million to be run jointly by FCO, DFID and MOD. These projects will assist in the development and implementation of aid projects in Nepal and reinforcing their military and police capacity.
	In particular, this package will fund the creation of a Civil Society Joint Forum, support for a rural development programme, a programme to promote and monitor human rights, peace support and separate human rights training to the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) and the provision of low-level logistical communications and transport equipment. The package will also cover the costs of infrastructure support to the UN Peacekeeping Centre in Panchkal.

Zimbabwe

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to assist the enforcement of the Southern African Development Communities Programme for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe; if he will hold discussions on this issue; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: There is no Southern African Development Community Programme for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. However, the SADC parliamentary forum has published electoral norms and standards. These formed the basis by which the EU judged the presidential election in Zimbabwe on 9–11 March.
	Our policy towards Zimbabwe is to work with concerned members of the international community, including SADC, to promote democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Zimbabwe

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had on an unconditional asset freeze and travel ban on ZANU-PF members, unqualified by international treaty obligations.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary had discussions with EU colleagues resulting in a travel ban and asset freeze on key ZANU-PF leaders, but has not held subsequent discussions on an unconditional asset freeze and travel ban on ZANU-PF members unqualified by international treaty obligations. My right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary continues to discuss with EU partners how to ensure maximum coercive pressure is placed on Mr. Mugabe and his allies.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 29 May from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Keith Marks.

Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 8 July.

Secondments

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Code in order to allow self-employed people to be considered for secondment positions at his office.

Denis MacShane: Review of the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code is the sole responsibility of the Civil Service Commissioners.
	I shall raise this matter with them and write to my hon. Friend in due course.

Weapons (Outer Space)

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's position on recent proposals by China and Russia to the conference on disarmament for the control of weapons in outer space.

Mike O'Brien: The UK recognises the importance China and Russia attach to international consideration of proposals for further controls on weapons in space. We have signed and ratified the outer space treaty and other treaties that place important limits on military activity in space, including a prohibition on the deployment of weapons of mass destruction. Space-based assets play a prominent role in security and military operations. While we do not wish to see a general ban on the military use of outer space, we would be ready to engage in further discussions of issues relating to the prevention of an arms race in outer space at the conference on disarmament.

Future of Europe

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost to date has been of the national debate on the future of Europe broken down by type of expenditure.

Peter Hain: The debate on the future of Europe is just one part of the Government's wider commitment to making the European Union better understood by the British public. The budget for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's EU public diplomacy programme in 2002–03 is £260,000.

Gibraltar

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what end date has been set with Spain for the conclusion of talks on the future status of Gibraltar.

Peter Hain: I refer my hon. Friend to my statement in Westminster Hall on 18 June 2002, Official Report, column 38WH.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received in respect of abuses of human rights against the Banyamulenge population in the towns of Uvira and Bukauu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Denis MacShane: None.

Greece

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role police forces from the United Kingdom are playing in the hunt for members of the November 17 terrorist group in Greece; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: A team of Metropolitan police officers travelled to Athens at the invitation of the Greek Government on 8 June 2000, the day the British Defence Attache, Stephen Saunders, was murdered by N17. British police officers have remained in Athens since that date, working closely with the Greek police on their investigation into Brigadier Saunders' assassination and providing advice and training for their Greek counterparts.
	Following an explosion in Piraeus on 29 June and the subsequent detention of an N17 suspect, an additional team of Metropolitan police officers flew to Athens on 30 June and have remained there to assist the Greeks with their investigation.
	The Government remain committed to bringing Brigadier Saunders' murderers to justice, and more widely to helping Greece fight the terrorism menace of N17. The Metropolitan police team will remain in Athens as long as its presence there is useful.

Afghanistan

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK's involvement in Afghanistan.

Mike O'Brien: The UK is working alongside the Afghan Transitional Administration and international partners to support the Bonn political process. The UK is committed to achieving its campaign objectives of defeating international terrorism and breaking the link between Afghanistan and terrorism (the details of which were placed in the Library of the House on 16 October 2001).
	The UK was the first western nation to reopen a diplomatic mission in Kabul on 19 November 2001.
	The UK has given £60 million since 11 September to UN agencies, the Red Cross and other organisations towards the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan. The UK has pledged a further £200 million from the UK over the next five years for both reconstruction and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. The UK was the first donor to contribute to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund with £100 million. Development assistance focuses on five key areas: economic management; security sector reform (funded from the joint DFID/FCO/MOD Global Conflict Prevention Pool); humanitarian assistance; the development of sustainable livelihoods; and support to the political process.
	The UK leads in co-ordinating international efforts and developing a strategy to assist the Afghan Government to tackle drugs.
	The UK has developed close links with the new Transitional Administration and it's predecessor, the Interim Administration, through a number of high level visits including by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and other ministerial colleagues to Afghanistan, and President Karzai to the UK. The UK is contributing towards the future development of Afghan leaders through an expanded Chevening scholarship scheme.
	After successfully leading ISAF in Afghanistan for the past six months, the UK handed over this role to Turkey on 20 June. The UK will continue to play a role in ISAF, with around 400 military personnel still committed. We remain committed to coalition activities in Afghanistan.

China (Human Rights)

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was discussed at the Human Rights Dialogue held between the United Kingdom and China in May.

Denis MacShane: The eighth round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue took place in Beijing on 15 May.
	The theme of this round was the management of ethnic minority affairs. In this context, the talks in Beijing were preceded by a four-day field trip to Gansu Province where the UK delegation visited both Tibetan and Muslim minority groups. The UK delegation included a senior British expert on race relations.
	At the main session of talks in Beijing, the UK delegation raised a wide range of human rights concerns including: Tibet and Xinjiang; freedom of expression, religion and association; Falun Gong; criminal justice issues, including the death penalty; North Korean refugees; co-operation with UN human rights mechanisms, including visits by special rapporteurs; the ratification of the ICECSR and ILO Conventions; and the blocking of the BBC World Service website and Mandarin Service. The UK delegation also discussed the programmes of practical co-operation between the UK and China to promote human rights and the rule of law.
	They raised over 50 individual cases of concern.

Bahrain

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Bahrain authorities regarding the case of Richard Mechan, a constituent.

Mike O'Brien: Our embassy staff have not had any discussions with the Bahrain authorities regarding the case of Richard Mechan.

East Timor

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2002, Official Report, column 634W on East Timor, whether the unverified reports of Indonesian involvement in East Timor ahead of the invasion of 1975 were obtained from (a) press reports, (b) British diplomats in Indonesia and (c) the Australian embassy in Jakarta.

Mike O'Brien: As will be seen when the files are made available shortly, reports such as these the FCO received about Indonesian involvement in East Timor ahead of the invasion of 7 December 1975 came from all three sources referred to by the hon. Member.

East Timor

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2002, Official Report, column 633W, on East Timor, whether the regular contacts between UK and Australian officials concerning the UN investigation of the deaths of British and other newsmen in East Timor have included discussion of the documentation published by Australia by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in September 2000 on those deaths.

Mike O'Brien: Yes.

East Timor

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2002, Official Report, column 634W, if he will raise with the Indonesian Government the problems that have been experienced by the UN investigation on obtaining access to possible witnesses in Indonesia concerning the deaths of Malcolm Rennie and others in East Timor.

Mike O'Brien: Further to my answer of 21 June 2002, Official Report, column 634W, the Government have raised this case with the Indonesian authorities at every appropriate opportunity and will continue to do so.

East Timor

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from the former special representative of the UN Secretary-General in East Timor, Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, concerning the status of the UN investigation into the deaths of Malcolm Rennie and others; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Before he left Dili in May, Sergio Vieira de Mello confirmed that responsibility for the Balibo investigation remains with the Serious Crimes Unit in East Timor. I have since written to his successor Kamalesh Sharma to ask him to ensure that our ambassador in Dili is informed of any further developments with the UN investigation.

East Timor

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2002, Official Report, column 634W, on East Timor, if the documents on non-intelligence aspects of Balibo case that he plans to release will include the full text of (a) the report to his department of mid-1975 by the Chancery Department of the British Embassy in Jakarta on East Timor's prospects and (b) the covering letter attached thereto sent by the then British Ambassador to Indonesia.

Mike O'Brien: Yes. The full text of these documents will be released when the files are made available shortly.

SCOTLAND

Mental Health

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the training of mental health professionals in Scotland.

Anne McGuire: The standards to which NHS mental health professionals are trained are set by UK regulatory bodies. However, the training routes by which mental health professionals meet these standards are devolved and are a matter for the Scottish Executive.

Government Liabilities

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the proportion of the rise in Government liabilities resulting from unfunded parts of Scottish (a) teachers and (b) NHS pension schemes in the last five years due to (i) wage inflation, (ii) longevity, (iii) extension of the rights of part-time workers and (iv) other factors; and if she will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The regulation and administration of the teachers and NHS pension schemes in Scotland is a devolved matter for the Scottish Executive.

Consumer Credit Act

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations she has received from organisations in Scotland relating to reform of procedures relating to time orders under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Anne McGuire: Citizens Advice Scotland have sent the Scotland Office their briefing on this matter.

Consumer Credit Act

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on possible reform of procedures relating to Time Orders under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Anne McGuire: The Department of Trade and Industry is currently reviewing the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The Scotland Office is working closely with the DTI in this area and the Government will consider whether it is necessary to make any changes to the provisions on Time Orders as part of the review.

Consumer Credit Act

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive on reform of procedures relating to time orders under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Anne McGuire: The Government will consider whether it is necessary to make any changes to the provisions on Time Orders as part of our review of the Consumer Credit Act. We will fully consult the Scottish Executive on this matter.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crown Prosecution Service

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General how many (a) inspections and (b) thematic reviews have been undertaken in each CPS area since the inception of the HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate; and how long each took on average.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 12 June 2002
	Between May 2000 and May 2002 the Inspectorate inspected 37 of the 42 CPS areas. Gloucestershire was also the subject of a short follow-up inspection. Reports have been published on all these 38 inspections. West Midlands was also the subject of a follow-up inspection confined to a small aspect of its work, namely discharged committals. The inspection was extended to include scrutiny of police performance as well. The Inspectorate was assisted in the follow-up by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and HM Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate. A report on this joint inspection is expected to be published in July 2002.
	First inspections of the remaining five CPS areas are in progress and reports on all of them should be published by the end of September 2002.
	The Inspectorate has carried out nine thematic reviews between January 1998 and May 2002. Each review involved visits to CPS branches or areas, varying in number between six and 16. Since April 1999 each of the 42 areas has featured in a thematic review on at least one occasion and several of them twice.
	The length of an inspection of a CPS area will vary with the size of the area. The core inspection phases take 10 weeks for a smaller area and 20 weeks for a larger area, longer in the case of CPS London, the largest CPS area. Consultation with the area, agreeing the draft report and publishing the final version takes a further seven weeks or more after the completion of the field work.

Crown Prosecution Service

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General what action has been taken to reduce the number of (a) judge-ordered and (b) judge-directed acquittals since 1999.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 10 June 2002
	In 1999, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) introduced an adverse outcome analysis system. This provides CPS areas with a consistent means to identify reasons for adverse outcomes and also to allocate responsibility of any failure. This information is collated centrally.
	For the last seven years, many areas of the CPS have had in place, with the police, a system of joint performance management that involves an appraisal of Crown Court acquittals, including those ordered and directed by the judge. This process provides areas with information showing particular trends and a means by which improvements can be made.
	The Crown Prosecution Service produces quarterly summaries of unsuccessful case outcomes from information drawn from its various case tracking systems. This year the CPS and the police have begun to develop a joint case outcome analysis which builds on these two processes and will focus on avoidable case failure. Under this system, the reasons for judge ordered and judge directed acquittals in individual cases will be jointly assessed for individual training needs and other joint strategies for performance improvement.
	The process will be supported by more sophisticated management information following the introduction of the CPS' Compass Case Management System due to roll out between April and December 2003.
	The figures in the table show a fall in judge directed acquittals from 1,777 in 1999 to 1,471 last year, a reduction of 17.2 per cent. Over the same period judge ordered acquittals rose from 9,616 to 11,825, an increase of 23 per cent. Much of this increase can be attributed to recent changes in procedures. Since January 2001, the prosecution, unlike before, have been able to discontinue cases in the Crown Court. Although this is a prosecution decision, the current system records these as judge ordered acquittals.
	
		Judge ordered and judge directed acquittals, 1999–2002
		
			  Judge ordered acquittals Judge directed acquittals 
		
		
			 1999–2000   
			 Number of acquittals 9,616 1,777 
			 Percentage of completed cases 11.1 2.0 
			 2000–01   
			 Number of acquittals 10,145 1,755 
			 Percentage of completed cases 12.3 2.1 
			 2001–02   
			 Number of acquittals 11,825 1,471 
			 Percentage of completed cases 14.0 1.7

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Television (Subtitling)

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if it is her policy that the forthcoming communications legislation will have the power to ensure that video on demand and other forms of developing television are covered by the requirement to carry subtitles and other ancillary services.

Kim Howells: No. The draft Communications Bill extends obligations for the provision of subtitling, sign language and audio-description services from terrestrial broadcasters to all licensed broadcasters. It is not proposed to extend them to other media unless such media were brought into the licensing regime by order, having met the criteria set out in the Bill for licensable television services. Under the Bill as drafted, true video on demand would not be licensable and, therefore, would not have legal obligations for subtitling any more than on-demand services provided over the internet. It would be for those who provide such services to decide whether to offer ancillary services for viewers with disabilities.

Football and Hockey

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many coaches Sport England funds for (a) football, (b) hockey, (c) men's football, (d) women's football, (e) men's hockey and (f) women's hockey.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 4 July 2002
	Sport England funds the Football Foundation who provide funding for grassroots football.
	Sport England does not directly fund any individuals except through the World Class programmes. Sport England put Exchequer funding into the coach education programme of hockey.
	The figures for hockey are as follows:
	11 full-time coaches or core consultant coaches;
	9 national age group coaches;
	43 sessional coaches.
	No further breakdown can be provided.

Arts Council

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will provide a list of consultants and change managers employed by the Arts Council of England to assist the change process over the last 15 months; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The following consultants and change managers were employed by the Arts Council of England to assist the change process over the last 15 months: Richard Pulford; Graham Devlin; Jeremy Brown; Carol Beckford Associates; People Initiatives; Thorpeworks Ltd; Lesley Payne; PwC; Anite Consulting; Network Marketing Group; Bacon Woodrow; Baker Tilley; Gregory Consulting Ltd; SGS Consulting; The Management Centre; Marketlink Research; Leonard Hull; The Change Partnership; Office for Public Management.

Historic Buildings (Public Access)

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 314, if there is an automatic access requirement when historic buildings are grant- aided by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Kim Howells: As part of the condition of grant, the Heritage Lottery Fund requires that grantees ensure that the general public has appropriate access to properties and that no one is unreasonably denied access.

Tobacco Sponsorship

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of the removal of tobacco sponsorship on the sport of darts; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: I am aware of the extent to which the British Darts Organisation is reliant on tobacco sponsorship and of the difficulties it faces in finding replacement sponsorship. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government have looked very carefully at how best to achieve an end to the advertising and promotion of tobacco at sports events in a way that will minimise any damage to the sports concerned.
	My Department has maintained a constant dialogue with the British Darts Organisation, partly through the Tobacco Sponsorship Task Force, and I fully understand its concern about the impact of a ban on British darts. As it remains the Government's intention, subject to consultation, to end tobacco sponsorship for non-global sports by the end of July 2003, it is vital that the British Darts Organisation continue its efforts to find replacement sponsorship.
	I will, of course, continue my own efforts in helping the British Darts Organisation and all other sports that would be affected by the ban, to ensure that they do not suffer unduly during the transition away from tobacco sponsorship.

Tobacco Sponsorship

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the future of the Tobacco Sponsorship Task Force.

Richard Caborn: The Sponsorship Tobacco Task Force last met in October 1999. Following that meeting it was agreed that the task force had completed its initial work of identifying the needs of sports affected by the ban on tobacco sponsorship. At that time these sports believed that it was too soon to be looking to replace existing contracts, and that the situation should be reviewed before the expiry of current contracts.
	Following the introduction of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill, and the proposed consultation on draft regulations, I wrote to the seven sports represented on the Tobacco Task Force on 14 April to ask for their thoughts on whether this might be an appropriate time for it to resume its work. So far, I have only received a response from the British Darts Organisation. Should the other six members respond favourably, the Government would be happy to reconvene the Tobacco Sponsorship Task Force.

Tourism

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance has been given to (a) the tourist industry and (b) coastal towns since the foot and mouth epidemic.

Kim Howells: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport gave an additional £14.2 million to the British Tourist Authority in 2001–02. This funding was one element in the Government's package of recovery assistance that included rural business recovery funding, hardship business rate relief and interest-free deferral of tax payments. This year, the British Tourist Authority has launched a £40 million 'Million Visitor Campaign' aimed at promoting Britain in seven key international markets through a unique partnership between Government and the tourism industry.
	Assistance for tourism in Scotland and Wales, outside the programmes of the British Tourist Authority, is a matter for the devolved Administrations. Coastal towns have continued to benefit from a range of Government programmes.

Tourism

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on tourism in the UK in 2002; and what assessment she has made of the prospects for tourism.

Kim Howells: The British Tourist Authority has forecast that inbound tourism trips to the UK in 2002 will be up by 5 per cent. to 7 per cent., and inbound tourism expenditure up by 8 per cent. to 10 per cent., on 2001.
	The English Tourism Council (ETC) has said that it expects tourism to return to pre-foot and mouth levels during 2002. A recent survey by the ETC has suggested that 59 per cent. of tourism businesses have already returned to normal business levels.
	Domestic tourism forecasts in Scotland and Wales are matters for the devolved Administrations.

Music Industry

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in establishing an office in the USA to assist and promote the British music industry.

Kim Howells: The Government share the UK music industry's assessment of the importance of the US market, and are working closely with the industry on ways of improving our export performance in it. We welcome the industry's innovative approach, and are considering very carefully the proposal, set out in its report of 28 May, to establish a music office in the US.

Hockey

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the role hockey will play in the plans to invest in school sports recently announced by the Prime Minister.

Richard Caborn: Hockey, together with other sports played in schools and clubs, will benefit from initiatives to improve access to, and the quality of, PE, school sport and club links for five to 16-year-olds. These initiatives include: expanding the specialist sport college network and school sport co-ordinator programme; "Step into Sport", a leadership and volunteering programme and investment in school sport facilities with an element of community use. Sports clubs will be helped to develop stronger links with local schools and to attract more children and young people as members and volunteers.

Hockey

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how many new astroturf hockey pitches have been opened in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many (a) water based astroturf hockey pitches and (b) sand based astroturf hockey pitches there are in England.

Richard Caborn: We have contacted Sport England to request the information required, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

NORTHERN IRELAND

District Policing Partnerships

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the timetable is for the establishment of district policing partnerships in each of the district command units in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: It is the Policing Board's intention to establish Direct Policing Partnerships (DPPs) as soon as practicable. Recruitment consultants have been appointed to facilitate the process leading to the appointment of independent members, and the Government will shortly issue a code of practice providing guidance as to how that process is to be managed. The final decision as to when positions are advertised rests with the Policing Board.

Paramilitary Symbols

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the role of the Terrorism Act 2000 in addressing the problems of (a) paramilitary flags, (b) paramilitary murals and (c) kerbstone painting; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Section 13 of the Terrorism Act makes it an offence to wear clothing or to wear, carry or display an article which arouses reasonable suspicion that the individual concerned is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation. The Act makes no specific provision about flags, murals or kerbstone painting. Many of the flags, murals or kerbstone paintings in Northern Ireland are in any event of sectarian rather than paramilitary nature.

Police Service for Northern Ireland

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress has been made in improving ethnic minority representation in the Police Service for Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: At 1 November 2001 there were 17 police officers in Northern Ireland from an ethnic minority background (0.16 per cent. of the total). Since recruitment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) began on 4 November 2001, there has been one new recruit from an ethnic minority community background, bringing the total number within the PSNI to 18 (0.18 per cent.)
	While the Report of the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland (the Patten Report) noted that ethnic minorities comprise less than 1 per cent. of the Northern Ireland population (para. 14.6), particular account is being taken of the need to increase ethnic minority representation in the new policing service. This is reflected through both the design and publication of recruitment advertisements, and the organisation of familiarisation days for members of the Chinese community.

Police Service for Northern Ireland

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress has been made in improving the gender balance in the Police Service for Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: At 1 November 2001 there were 931 (12.9 per cent.) female officers in the Northern Ireland police service. Since recruitment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) began on 4 November 2001, this figure has risen to 1,012 (14.9 per cent.) female police officers (as at 1 June 2002).
	Particular effort is being made to increase female representation in the PSNI, through targeted recruitment advertising and the organisation of familiarisation days for women. In addition, section 48 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 requires the Policing Board to make an action plan for monitoring the number of women in the service and for increasing their numbers if they are under-represented.

Public Service Agreement Targets

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in reviewing PSA targets.

Jane Kennedy: Discussions are ongoing between the Department and the Treasury to finalise the details of NIO's revised PSA, covering the three-year period of the 2002 Spending Review, commencing 200304 and ending 200506. This will appear in a Treasury White Paper, to be published within the next few weeks.

Public Service Agreement Targets

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress the Northern Ireland Office has made in meeting objectives and targets in its PSA.

Jane Kennedy: Details of progress made in meeting objectives and targets in the NIO's PSA as at 31 March 2002 are contained in the Northern Ireland Office 2002 departmental report, Expenditure Plans and Priorities (Cm 5432), published in June 2002 (Table 4.1).

Small Business Security Grant Scheme

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made by the Northern Ireland Office with the Small Business Security Grant Scheme.

Jane Kennedy: The Small Business Security Grant Scheme is administered by the Northern Ireland Crime Prevention Panel (NICPP), a registered charity which aims to promote initiatives that help reduce crime locally. The NIO has provided funding amounting to 650,000 for the scheme. The panel established a scoring system based against which to assess applications. After a slow start, 1,800 applications were received by the closing date of 31 January 2002 exceeding expectations and the funding available. 560,000 has already been distributed to 631 successful applicants. The NICPP's Awards Panel has recently met to approve a further tranche of grants and to finalise the arrangements finalising the scheme at the end of November 2002 by which time all applicants to the scheme will have been informed as to the outcome of their application.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum Accommodation

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will offer undertakings to (a) West Mercia police authority police and (b) Hereford and Worcester fire authority about their protection from legal liability for the consequences of disturbances at the proposed asylum accommodation centre at Throckmorton.

Beverley Hughes: We are considering the insurance provisions necessary for accommodation centres.

Asylum Seekers

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will conduct an inquiry into NASS's supervision of contracts related to landmark properties in Liverpool.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 17 June 2002
	Arrangements already exist to monitor the performance of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). Like any other directorate within Immigration Nationality Directorate (IND), NASS and its management is subject to investigation by the Home Office Internal Audit and the National Audit Office on financial issues. However I have asked the director of NASS to arrange for an inquiry into issues arising from NASS's dealings with the Landmark company to be carried out. The terms of reference for the inquiry are as follows:
	To carry out an investigation into and to establish the facts surrounding the transfer of NASS supported asylum seekers from the Landmark building and The Inn on the Park in May/June 2002;
	To review the actions of Landmark, its directors and employees during the period up to and including the removal of asylum seekers from these two properties with particular reference to the terms of NASS's contract with Landmark and to make a report on any contract compliance issues that arise;
	To review and report on NASS's dealings with Landmark and the asylum seekers resident in these two buildings throughout the transfer period;
	To review and report on the extent to which the rights and reasonable expectations of the NASS supported asylum seekers were met during this transfer period;
	To review more generally NASS's handling of its contracts with Landmark; and
	To make recommendations for any immediate actions to be taken in relation to the transfer and to make recommendations in relation to NASS's management of such contracts and similar situations in the future.

Asylum Seekers (Afghanistan)

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is towards unsuccessful asylum seekers from Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Our long standing approach to Afghan asylum applications has been that we would not, other than in exceptional circumstances, normally seek to return to Afghanistan asylum seekers whose applications have been found not to meet the criteria set down in the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention. In those circumstances we would normally grant the unsuccessful asylum applicant four years exceptional leave to remain (ELR) in the United Kingdom. We modified that policy in April this year so as to grant only 12 months ELR to reflect the improving situation in Afghanistan.
	Large numbers of Afghans have come to the United Kingdom to seek asylum in recent years. We have provided them with asylum when they have needed it or granted ELR. But the situation in Afghanistan has now changed.
	We believe there has been a real and sustained improvement in the country situation. The recent establishment of the Transitional Government serves to underline the improvements which continue to be made. The improvement in the country situation no longer justifies a blanket policy of granting exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom to all asylum seekers from Afghanistan who do not meet the criteria in the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention. We will of course continue to honour our international obligations under the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights.
	Asylum caseworkers will continue to consider on a case by case basiswhether in the individual circumstances of a particular case it is appropriate to grant exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom to an unsuccessful asylum applicant and taking into full account the country situation. If the circumstances of an individual case justify it, exceptional leave to remain will be granted but, for the reasons stated above, I have decided that a blanket policy of granting exceptional leave to remain in all such cases is no longer justified. In cases where asylum has been refused, and exceptional leave has not been granted, we will take the appropriate enforcement action.
	Further, in order to facilitate voluntary returns to Afghanistan I am considering whether for a limited period of time, incentive payments could be made to returnees. The payments would help returnees to re-establish themselves in Afghanistan. The payments would be closely administered and time limited: it is essential that they not act as a pull-factor to the United Kingdom, nor their provision abused. We will also be looking into what other support may be needed in order to ensure the sustainability of returns.
	This would be the start of a number of packages we intend to develop to encourage return to help in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Other packages will involve, for example, different forms of re-integration programmes and explore and prepare visits. This demonstrates our long-term commitment to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases the Criminal Cases Review Commission are reviewing; how cases are classified; what percentage of all cases concern sexual abuse and of those, how many cases are (a) related to historic sexual abuse in care homes and (b) within a domestic context; and what period of time has elapsed between the sex crime being committed, the case being brought to court and the CCRC considering the case in each case.

Hilary Benn: At 30 April 2002 there were 402 cases under review and 309 waiting for allocation distributed as follows:
	
		
			 Stage Cases 
		
		
			 Waiting for Stage 1 review 3 
			 Under Stage 1 review 35 
			 Waiting for Stage 2 Screen review 120 
			 Under State 2 Screen review 171 
			 Waiting for Stage 2 review 186 
			 Under Stage 2 review 187 
			 Under Stage 3 review 9 
		
	
	The Commission includes abuse in care homes cases in the category of Sexual Offences. Sexual offences cases constitute a very significant percentage of all the applications received.
	Of the 834 applications received in the 12 months to 31 March 2002 the sexual offences were as shown:
	
		
			  Sexual offences Number of offences Percentage of all offences Number of counts Percentage of all counts 
		
		
			 Indecent assault 129 12.1 328 18.9 
			 Rape 124 11.8 195 11.2 
			 Other 67 6.3 165 9.5 
			 Total 320 30.2 688 39.6 
		
	
	The Commission has set up a working group to analyse and refine its approach to child sex abuse cases and this group will gather more detailed data on the type and circumstances of the offences and convictions. This will include information on the institutional/domestic environment of the offence and the elapsed time from the crime to the conviction.
	The average time between conviction and application to the Commission for all applications is 3.5 years.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will answer the questions from the hon. Member for Hendon, refs 25180 and 25186.

Bob Ainsworth: I replied to question 25180 on 15 January 2002 and to question 25186 on 23 January 2002. Unfortunately, there was an error in the printing of the Official Report, and the answers appeared with the wrong questions. This error has been rectified for the Bound Volume of Hansard. In the meantime, I have resubmitted the correct versions of these questions and answers to my hon. Friend.

New Prisons

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will pay insurance for future new prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 2 July 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) on 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 439W.

Departmental Expenditure Limit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 200203 had been spent by 31 May; what the figures were for 200102; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested is provided in the table.
	
		
			  200102 200203 
		
		
			 Annual departmental expenditure limit (DEL) ( million) 10,731 10,230 
			 Spend to 31 May ( million) 1,823 2,140 
			 Spend to 31 May as proportion of annual DEL (per cent.) 17.0 20.9 
		
	
	The 200102 DEL includes 826 million from the DEL Reserve, voted in the spring Supplementary Estimates, mainly to fund asylum expenditure. If this is discounted, the spend to 31 May 2001 constitutes 19.9 per cent. of that year's DEL.

Case Numbers

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies have defended in (i) industrial tribunals and (ii) the courts in each year since 1997; what proportion were concluded in their favour; and what the costs of cases fought were, including damages paid.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 27 February 2002
	The information is given in the table. I am sorry for the delay in replying.
	
		
			 Financial Year 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 
		
		
			 Home Office  
			 Court cases opened 1,730 1,768 1,954 2,474 2,436 
			 Billable casework 3,062,229.64 3,299,971.95 3,476,051.50 5,180,641.93 4,176,102.76 
			 Prison Service  
			 Court cases opened 743 911 1,314 1,173 1,047 
			 Billable casework 4,169,656.24 4,129,371.72 3,788,272.50 5,688,196.36 4,214,200.61 
			 Home Office  
			 Tribunal cases opened 22 22 33 35 44 
			 Billable casework 74,502.46 108,813.04 113,300.15 242,767.23 296,473.51 
			 Prison Service  
			 Tribunal cases opened 80 83 118 178 134 
			 Billable casework 359,250.63 273,758.80 464,692.55 794,655.63 1,023,295.85 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures given for the Home Office include its agencies apart from the Prison Service.
	2. The figures are supplied by the Treasury Solicitor's Department, which is responsible for litigation on behalf of the Home Office and its agencies.
	3. Court cases include judicial review and personal injury litigation. There is a small amount of commercial litigation not reflected in these figures.
	4. These figures do not include the proportion of cases concluded in favour of the department or the amount of damages paid. These items could not be obtained without disproportionate effort.
	5. The figures for billable casework include amounts charged by the Treasury Solicitor in respect of both time and disbursements.
	These figures show the arising amount and cost of litigation over the last five years. Around 2,500 cases were opened in the financial year 19978; over 3,500 have been opened to date in this financial year. The cost has arisen from roughly 7.5 million to 9.7 million. Prison Service litigation represents about a third of the total number of cases; while immigration judicial review covers about 90 per cent. of the judicial review cases which themselves form about two thirds of all the litigation.
	While the rise in the number and cost of judicial review and personal injury cases has been about 50 per cent. over the past five years, in the employment field the cases have doubled and the costs have all but trebled. This matter is under active consideration by the Prison Service.

Paul Wright

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the report of the independent investigation into the circumstances of Paul Wright's death at Leeds Prison on 7 November 1996, ordered by Mr. Justice Jackson on 27 June 2001.

Hilary Benn: I welcome this report, which is today being placed in the Library together with our response to the five findings and 20 recommendations made in the report. The Prison Service has previously accepted partial liability for the death of Paul Wright because failure to provide proper medical treatment was a contributory factor to his death, and in October 2000 apologised to the family, followed by an out-of-court settlement in December 2000. This independent investigation provides a very thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the death of Paul Wright and associated issues. Two of the findings reflect conflicts of evidence that are unlikely ever to be resolved.
	This was a unique investigation in circumstances unlikely to be repeated, largely because of changes made since 1996, including: provision of health care services in prison has been changed through a partnership between the Prison Service and the NHS at local, regional and national level; procedures for recruitment and supervision of prison medical officers have been improved, with training and qualification requirements tightened; and all self-inflicted deaths in prisons are now routinely investigated and investigation reports disclosed to families. In addition, a clinical review of the treatment provided to a prisoner dying in custody from natural causes routinely now takes place. Procedures for investigating all deaths in prison custody are currently under review. In parallel, a wider Home Office and Government review of investigations and inquiries is taking place against a background of emerging jurisprudence from both the domestic and European Courts. This investigation has provided some valuable insights which will help inform this debate, specifically in relation to the introduction of independence in future investigations.
	I hope that the changes which have been made show that we are trying to learn from what's happened as a result of our failure to look after Paul Wright in the way that we should have done.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Contact Orders

Debra Shipley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many schedule 1 offenders have been granted unsupervised contact orders in each year since 1999.

Rosie Winterton: The Department keeps routine statistics on the numbers of applications for contact and orders made but does not keep information about the party in whose favour an order was made. When considering making a contact order the court has the child's welfare as its paramount consideration. This includes taking into account any harm a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering.

Contact Orders

Debra Shipley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on how contact arrangements will be made safe for children before new measures are introduced; and how she will enforce contact orders.

Rosie Winterton: When considering applications for contact the court is obliged to make the welfare of the child its paramount concern. This includes considering any harm a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering. The court can attach conditions to contact and make orders for the protection of children and their parents in any family proceedings. In addition to case law and the Guidelines prepared by the Children Act Sub Committee of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Board on Family Law (CASC), the Department is considering possible amendments to court rules to ensure consistency in the treatment of applications for contact where there are allegations of violence. The Department is also facilitating the Child Contact Centre Working Group. The group is prioritising measures to ensure the safety of those using such services. The Government are considering the recommendations of CASC's report 'Making Contact Work' on the facilitation and enforcement of contact and will be making an initial response shortly. Ensuring contact is safe is a key consideration.

Contact Orders

Debra Shipley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many contact orders under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 were (a) refused and (b) granted in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001.

Vera Baird: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many contact orders were (a) granted and (b) refused under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 in (i) 1999, (iii) 2000 and (iii) 2001.

Rosie Winterton: The figures sought are published annually in Judicial Statistics.
	
		
			   1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Granted 41,862 46,070 55,030 
			 Refused 1,752 1,276 713 
		
	
	Contact orders include ones made for indirect contact or supervised contact. Although no breakdown is currently available, we will be undertaking a sampling exercise later this year to obtain information on this area.

Contact Orders

Debra Shipley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if courts are required to ensure contact arrangements are safe for children.

Rosie Winterton: When considering applications for contact the court is obliged to make the welfare of the child its paramount concern. This includes determining whether a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering harm and taking steps to protect the child and any other party to proceedings. The court can attach conditions to contact and make orders for the protection of children and their parents in any family proceedings if the court believes this is necessary, regardless of whether or not such conditions or orders have been requested. The Department is considering possible amendments to court rules to ensure consistency in the treatment of applications for contact where there are allegations of violence.

Public Consultations

John Bercow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by his Department since 8 June 2001.

Rosie Winterton: The length of each public written consultation undertaken by the Department since 8 June 2001 is as follows.
	
		
			  Title  Month Length of consultation (weeks) 
		
		
			 Report of the Review Group on the Royal Peculiars July 2001 11 
			 Administrative CourtProposed Changes To Primary Legislation Following Sir Jeffrey Bowman's Review of the Crown Office List July 2001 12 
			 Towards Effective Enforcementa single piece of bailiff law and a regulatory structure July 2001 12 
			 Payments into Court in Satisfaction of a claim August 2001 13 
			 Report of the Review of Tribunals by Sir Andrew Leggatt August 2001 15 
			 General Preaction Protocol October 2001 16 
			 Damages for Future Loss: Giving the Courts the Power to Order Periodical Payments for Future Loss and Care Costs in Personal Injury Cases March 2002 12 
			 Payments to Witnesses March 2002 12 
			 Freezing Injunctions and Search Orders in Civil Proceedings March 2002 12 
			 Promoting Inter-Agency Working in the Family Justice System March 2002 14 
			 Making Decisions: Helping People Who Have Difficulty Deciding for Themselves April 2002 13 
			 Selection Procedures for the Circuit Bench and Recordership April 2002 (36)13 
		
	
	(36) Subject to request for extension until 22 July 2002

Comprehensive Spending Review

John Bercow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff have contributed to her Department's input to the Spending Review.

Rosie Winterton: The Lord Chancellor's Department employed six officials within the central finance function to work on the Spending Review on a near full-time basis in recent months. In addition, two senior civil servants devoted a substantial proportion of their time to the review. A large number of officials from discrete business areas also contributed.

Asylum Applications

David Lepper: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals in relation to rejected asylum applications were (a) received, (b) withdrawn and (c) heard in the periods (i) April 2000 to March 2001 and (ii) April 2001 to February 2002.

Rosie Winterton: I apologise for the delay in responding.
	(a) The IAA received 37,573 asylum appeals during the period April 2000 to March 2001 and 46,578 cases during the period April 2001 to February 2002.
	(b) Reliable data on withdrawals and hearings was not held prior to October 2000.
	(b) During the periods:
	October 2000 to March 2001:
	1,181 applications for appeal were withdrawn; 1,124 at the adjudicator level, two at leave to appeal to tribunal level and 55 at tribunal level.
	April 2001 to February 2002:
	3,047 applications for appeal were withdrawn; 2,932 at the adjudicator level, nine at leave to appeal to tribunal level and 106 at tribunal level.
	(c) During the periods:
	October 2000 to March 2001:
	The IAA heard 26,603 appeal applications; 25,528 at the adjudicator level and 1,075 at the tribunal level.
	April 2001 to February 2002:
	The IAA heard 57,718 appeal applications; 54,828 at the adjudicator level and 2,890 at the tribunal level.

HEALTH

Homeless People

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on homeless people's ability to gain access (a) to health services in (i) primary and (ii) secondary care and (b) to social services.

David Lammy: Primary care trusts are responsible for developing in partnership with social services departments, other agencies and local communities, a local health improvement and modernisation plan (HIMP) that outlines the health and social care services available for their local population, including homeless people. In conjunction with local authorities' homeless strategies, the HIMP should assess local need and address any gaps in services.

Ministerial Salaries

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual cost was of ministerial salaries in his Department in (a) 199798 and (b) 200102.

David Lammy: The level of ministerial salaries are recommended by the Senior Salaries Review Body. The figures below exclude the salaries House of Commons Ministers receive as Members of Parliament.
	From May 1997 to July 1998, in this Department there was one Cabinet Minister at an annual salary of 43,991; two Ministers of State at an annual salary of 31,125; one Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at an annual salary of 23,623; and one Minister of State (House of Lords) at an annual salary of 51,838.
	From June 2001, there was one Cabinet Minister at an annual salary of 68,157; two Ministers of State at an annual salary of 35,356; two Parliamentary Under- Secretaries of State at an annual salary of 26,835; and one Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (House of Lords) at an annual salary of 60,961.

Medical Students

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many letters Ministers in his Department have received in the last three months from (a) hon. Members, (b) medical students and their representatives and (c) others regarding problems faced by medical students.

David Lammy: The Department cannot provide the information in the format requested.

Strategic Health Authorities

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many strategic health authorities have nurses on their boards.

David Lammy: Information on the number of nurses on the boards of the new health authorities (to be known as strategic health authorities) is as follows:
	midlands and east of England: four of the eight health authorities (HAs) have members on the board with nursing qualifications;
	north: seven of the eight HAs have nurses/people with nursing qualifications on their boards;
	London: at present there are no nurses on the boards of the five HAs in London. However, nurse views are represented on the North West London health authority board by the chief executive, who is a qualified nurse. In addition to this, two HAs in the London area are currently in the process of recruiting Directors of Nursing;
	south: four of the seven HAs have nurses/people with nursing qualifications on their boards.
	Of those HAs in the country who do not have nurses/ people with nursing qualifications on their boards, they propose to have such people on their top management teams or are ensuring that they have direct access to senior nursing advice.

Coronary Care

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether guidance has been provided to primary care trusts on the provision of drug eluting stents for use in percutaneous coronary intervention.

Hazel Blears: No guidance has been given to primary care trusts on the provision of drug eluting stents for use in percutaneous coronary intervention. The Department referred drug eluting stents to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) on 20 May this year for appraisal. NICE will produce technology appraisal guidance for the national health service on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of drug eluting stents and on the appropriate use of this new technology.

Private Finance Initiative

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) start date and (b) completion date is for the private finance initiative at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth; whether the initiative is on schedule for completion; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth re-issued its Official Journal of the European Community in August 2001, and is expected to reach financial close by the end of February 2003. Start on site will commence shortly after and completion is anticipated in 2007.

Consultant Neurologists

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects both positions for consultant neurologists at Colchester General Hospital will be filled; when the posts were advertised; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The local primary care trusts have been seeking to expand the neurology service at Essex Rivers Healthcare National Health Service Trust from a one- consultant to a two-consultant service.
	The trust held interviews on 25 June to appoint a consultant neurologist. Once the first consultant neurologist is in post, the trust will recruit to the second post.

Affordable Housing

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken by his Department with regard to the provision of affordable housing for NHS staff.

John Hutton: We fully recognise the importance to recruitment and retention of good quality, affordable accommodation being available for nurses and other health workers, and this is why we set out a target of providing 2,000 additional units by July 2003 in the NHS Plan.
	We have established the national health service housing initiative and, since the launch of the NHS Plan, 1,273 additional units of accommodation have been sourced through negotiation with registered social landlords and other providers. In addition, contracts have been agreed on a further 243 units of accommodation and 725 units are agreed subject to contract. The housing initiative has been extended to include the south-east and other hotspots, including a new staff hotel at the John Radcliffe in Oxford. We have also established an accommodation bureau and website so that available accommodation is used more efficiently.
	We also recognise the importance of home ownership in the retention of staff and by 2004, around 5,000 NHS staff should have benefited from the 250 million allocated under the starter home initiative. Assistance is in the form of equity loans, interest free loans and shared ownership.

Recycling

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of waste produced in his Department was (a) recycled, (b) composted and (c) re-used, broken down into (i) paper, (ii) plastics, (iii) aluminium cans and (iv) other in each year since 1997; what plans there are to increase these proportions; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: Figures are only available from 200102. These show that of the total waste collected in the main buildings occupied by the Department, 84.1 per cent. has been recycled. There is no breakdown to show what proportions have been composted or re-used.
	Of the amount recycled, 80.5 per cent. was paper, 0.7 per cent. cans and 18.8 per cent. all other waste.
	The levels of waste and recycled materials are continually monitored and opportunities and initiatives to increase the levels of waste material recycled or re-used are under constant consideration.

Recycling

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of (a) paper and (b) other goods purchased by his Department was recycled paper in each year since 1997; what the annual total cost of these purchases was; what plans there are to increase these proportions; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: It is only possible to answer in the detail required for the last year 200102.
	The Department has a central stationery contract through which its normal supply of paper is purchased. For 200102, the amount of recycled paper purchased constituted 73.8 per cent. of the total paper purchased by the Department. The cost of this purchase was 138,864.
	The Department continues to monitor usage of paper and seeks, where possible, to reduce use of paper in favour of electronic communications. Where paper products are necessary, the Department encourages the use of recycled paper. This is an on-going initiative.

NHS Direct

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints have been made about NHS Direct in each region in each month since its launch; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: It is not possible to provide a comprehensive breakdown of complaints made about NHS Direct in each region. In the financial year 200001, 148 written complaints were received about NHS Direct in England. These figures are collected annually and not monthly. This equates to one complaint in over 20,000 calls made to NHS Direct.
	Details of all written complaints can be found on the Department's website: www.doh.gov.uk/nhscomplaints

0870 Telephone Numbers

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on using 0870 telephone numbers for inquiries by the public to the Department and its agencies.

David Lammy: The Department decides on the appropriate tariff for national lines on a case by case basis, taking account of the purpose of the line, its intended audience and the ability of the target audience to pay.

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many clinical nurse specialists there are in the field of skin cancer;
	(2)  what plans he has to increase the number of clinical nurse specialists in skin cancer.

David Lammy: The Department does not collect information on nurse sub-specialities.
	The NHS Cancer Plan sets out the Government's commitment to investment in cancer services, including the nursing work force. We expect to see an increase in specialist cancer nurses in line with needs identified in local cancer service delivery plans.

Infliximab

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional funding has been made available to primary care trusts and acute hospitals to help fund the cost of patients using infliximab.

David Lammy: We have not allocated earmarked funding for National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended treatments such as infliximab. However, national health service bodies have a statutory obligation to fund such treatments. General allocations to health authorities take account of the pressures on pay, prices and the cost of implementing NICE recommendations which they all face. Allocations have increased by at least 6 per cent. in real terms in 200203.

Smallpox Vaccine

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether Bavarian Nordic were approached directly and invited to bid during the negotiations to award the smallpox vaccine contract.

John Hutton: Yes, Bavarian Nordic were approached directly regarding the supply of smallpox vaccine, but made it clear that Powderject were their nominated supplier for smallpox vaccine in the UK.

Smallpox Vaccine

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether other bidders for the smallpox vaccine awarded to Powderject committed themselves to supply a vaccine that was free of BSE agents.

John Hutton: Yes, other bidders for the smallpox vaccine awarded to Powderject committed themselves to supply a vaccine that was free of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agents. European legislation demands that an application for marketing authorisation of a medicinal product in the European Union must include satisfactory demonstration of compliance with the European note for guidance on minimising the risk of transmitting animal spongiform encephalopathy agents via human and veterinary medicinal products.
	If a manufacturer wishes to produce smallpox vaccine using virus culture in bovine cells, the appropriate regulatory guidance on cell characterisation and storage would have to be followed.

Smallpox Vaccine

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether IDT were approached directly during the negotiations to award the smallpox vaccine contract and invited to make a bid.

John Hutton: Impfstoffwerke Dessau Tornav Gmbh (IDT) were not approached during the negotiations to award the smallpox vaccine contract and were not invited to make a bid. It was known from the outset that IDT were a sub-contracting partner of Bavarian Nordic, with whom Powderject had an exclusive agreement to act as their suppliers. An official from the Department accompanied officials from the Ministry of Defence on a visit to Bavarian Nordic and IDT at the end of January (31) on a fact-finding visit to discuss vaccine developments and manufacturing techniques and capacity for both types of smallpox vaccine being made by the company.

Smallpox Vaccine

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the relevance of the nationality of the supplier to national security was considered during the tendering process for the smallpox vaccine contract.

John Hutton: The key selection criteria upon which the contract for the supply of smallpox vaccine was awarded were the company's ability to provide vaccine of the chosen strain and its ability to complete supply within the preferred timescale. The security of supply in the event of an emergency was a factor that was considered, but not the nationality of the supplier.

Racial Harassment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been implemented to reduce racial harassment of NHS staff; how many incidents of racial (a) abuse and (b) attacks have been recorded in the last year in each health authority; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The Government is fully committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all health service staff and patients and we are taking vigorous action to achieve this. There is no place for discrimination or harassment in the National Health Service on grounds of race or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or age.
	The Improving Working Lives (IWL) Standard establishes targets and measures for promoting real improvements in the working lives of NHS staff. It makes it clear that every member of staff is entitled to work in an organisation which can prove that it is investing in, and improving, diversity and tackling discrimination and harassment.
	Activity to achieve this aim is occurring on a number of fronts. We have launched an equalities framework ('The Vital Connection') which incorporates clear requirements for the NHS in promoting equality and introduces a package of indicators, standards and monitoring arrangements to support progress and manage performance as part of human resources performance management. It includes specific measures on race and harassment.
	In addition, the 'Positively Diverse' programme is developing the knowledge and capacity of NHS organisations to build and manage a diverse workforce. It provides the process for achieving the equalities related aspects of IWL and the targets set by the equalities framework and supports NHS organisations in meeting the workforce challenges set by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. In addition, new guidance and publicity posters, aligned with the NHS zero tolerance zone campaign, on dealing with harassment from service users has been developed and will be launched in September.
	Information on incidents of racial abuse or attacks is not collected centrally, but may be held at a local level by NHS employers. The findings of the 20002001 survey of reported violent or abusive incidents, accidents involving staff and sickness absence in NHS trusts and health authorities, in England, were published on 13 June. A copy of the report setting out the main findings of the survey has been placed in the Library.

Junior Doctors' Time-sheets

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reliability of junior doctors' time-sheets.

John Hutton: The monitoring of the hours worked by junior doctors is the responsibility of local employers. They and the juniors themselves are accountable for the accuracy of the figures, and the returns are required to be certified by the doctors in post.

Devon and Cornwall Health Authorities

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by how much the Devon and Cornwall Strategic Health Authority is overspent; and by how much this will reduce health spending from central Government allocations in the year 200203.

Hazel Blears: The new health authority (HA) for the south-west peninsula is currently within budget. The HA running costs of 4 million were top sliced from the overall allocation to the local health community.

Waiting Times (Mid-Essex)

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people (a) were waiting for in-patient treatment, (b) had been waiting for over 12 months for in-patient treatment and (c) had been waiting over 15 months for in-patient treatment, in the Mid-Essex hospital trust area in the last two months for which figures are available.

David Lammy: The latest available information on patients waiting for inpatient treatment at the Mid-Essex Hospital National Health Service Trust are shown in the table.
	
		
			   End of April 2002 End of May 2002 
		
		
			 For inpatient treatment 4,149 4,199 
			 Waiting over 12 months 192 162 
			 Waiting over 15 months 0 0 
		
	
	Source:
	DHSC monthly fast track figures

Delayed Discharges

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide the latest delayed discharge percentages by local authority within the star rating system.

Jacqui Smith: There is no direct numerical relationship between the local authority star ratings and the figures for delayed discharge. The evidence upon which the ratings are based includes a wide range of information from inspections, joint reviews and monitoring, as well as the performance indicator data. Judgments that lead to the ratings are made against a set of standards, taking all this information into account. Information from Quarter 4 of 200102 on the numbers and percentage of delayed discharges at national and regional level, together with the reasons for delay, has been placed in the Library.

Social Services Grants

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on schemes submitted by local authorities for the personal social services performance grant for 200203.

Jacqui Smith: Councils have until 25 July 2002 to provide final details of their performance fund schemes to the Department. There is therefore as yet no information on the final schemes.

Doctors (Suspensions)

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2002, Official Report, column 846W, on doctors (suspensions), whether the definition of suspension includes absence on special leave, gardening leave and other paid absence; what the total costs to the NHS are of the suspensions for (a) the latest quarter for which figures are available and (b) the equivalent quarter for each of the previous six years; and if he will make a statement on the other information that is available from the Department's data collection exercise.

John Hutton: For the purposes of the central quarterly data collection exercise into the long-term suspension of hospital medical and community dental staff, the definition of suspension does not include special leave, gardening leave or any other paid absence.
	Based on national health service trust returns to the Department, the total cumulative costs of current suspensions lasting over six months for the first quarter of 2002 (1 January to 31 March) is 5,095,742.
	Figures for the first quarter for the last three years is as follows:
	1 January 2000 to 31 March 2000: 3,956,225
	1 January 2001 to 31 March 2001: 4,245,789
	1 January 2002 to 31 March 2002: 5,095,742.
	Comparable and reliable data for the previous four years are not available.
	The Department collects details which identify the individual doctor concerned in order to validate information relating to the suspension. This is not published in order to protect the confidentiality of the individual.

Doctors (Suspensions)

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors were suspended for (a) less and (b) more than six months (i) at the latest date for which figures are available and (ii) for the equivalent quarter for each of the last six years.

John Hutton: National health service trusts routinely report suspensions lasting six months or longer to the Department. Figures are not available for suspensions lasting less than six months.
	As at quarter ended 31 March 2002 (the latest date for which figures are available) there were 29 doctors suspended for more than six months.
	The figures for the last three years is as follows:
	1 January 2000 to 31 March 2000: 32
	1 January 2001 to 31 March 2001: 31
	1 January 2002 to 31 March 2002: 29.
	Comparable and reliable data for the previous four years is not available.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if there is an (a) named person, (b) named organisation and (c) multi-agency group responsible for mental health promotion in County Durham and Darlington.

Jacqui Smith: A health promotion lead has been identified for County Durham and Darlington. Easington Primary Care Trust (PCT) is the lead organisation for mental health promotion, on behalf of all PCTs in County Durham and Darlington. The multi-agency group responsible for mental health is the County Durham and Darlington mental health promotion steering group. There are 34 members of the group which includes all PCTs, County Durham and Darlington Priority Services National Health Service Trust and representatives from general practitioner practices, users and carers, prisons, health promotion services, the police and social services.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has started to collect data on (a) the number of NHS nurses who work in mental health, (b) how many leave the service each year and (c) how many NHS nurses are recruited to mental health each year.

John Hutton: The non-medical work force census currently includes community psychiatry, other psychiatry, community learning disabilities and other learning disabilities among other detailed areas.
	An exercise to re-define occupation codes and collect work force data by care groups is under way and will provide a more accurate picture of number of nurses working in mental health.
	In a separate exercise we are also modelling nurse labour market by branch, including mental health. This work will include consideration of mental health nurses joining and leaving the national health service each year.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, 
	(1)  pursuant to his answer of 5 February 2002, Official Report, column 926W, on mental health, if he will list the data for 200102 in the same form;
	(2)  what the highest level of occupancy of beds on a single day in an acute mental health ward in London has been in 2002.

Jacqui Smith: Occupancy levels are not collected on a daily basis for acute mental health wards. The average bed occupancy rate for each National Health Service trust, including London, in the financial year 200001 is available from http://www/doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/
	Data for 200102 are not yet available.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the evaluation of the Working Minds programme includes an assessment of how many people with a diagnosis of severe mental illness have found employment as a result of the programme; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The evaluation of the mind out for mental health campaign, including the Working Minds programme, does not include an assessment of how many people have found employment as a result of the programme. However, as I indicated to the hon. Member in my reply on 30 October 2001, Official Report, column 648W, the Working Minds programme works in partnership with employers to create positive shifts in workplace attitudes and behaviour surrounding mental health. Its objectives are far greater than helping people with mental health problems to find employment; the programme seeks to bring about a fundamental, long-term change in employers' policy and practice so that people with mental health problems are able to participate fully in the workplace. We are currently considering the findings of the evaluation.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the draft strategy on mental health services for people from black and ethnic minorities.

Jacqui Smith: The draft strategy is still being developed. We are aiming to publish a consultation document in the autumn.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care mental health workers are in (a) employment and (b) training.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 13 February 2002 at column 469W, when I said that funds to support the appointment of 1,000 new graduate primary care mental health workers would be allocated in 200304. This year, 2.5 million has been made available to establish new training programmes to support them when they are employed. This initiative is being led by South Trent workforce development confederation.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been spent on the National Institute for Mental Health; and what its budget is for 200203.

Jacqui Smith: The National Institute for Mental HealthEngland has a budget of 6,818,000 in 200203.
	The budget will fund eight development centres across the country which will act as a main point of contact for frontline staff to, network, find solutions and put them into practice. It will also fund a mental health research network and eight other national programmes, to deliver change at a national level, help staff implement national plan commitments, and broaden capacity in the development centres to support the frontline.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Working Minds Employers' Toolkit have been produced in the current financial year.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 8 July 2002, Official Report, column 783W.
	An additional 2,000 copies of the Working Minds Employers' Toolkit were printed in March 2002. Copies of the toolkit are still available and there are no plans at present to produce additional copies in this financial year.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will list the 10 community mental health teams with the highest caseload per care staff member;
	(2)  what the total caseload is of early intervention teams for mental health;
	(3)  how many early intervention teams for mental health (a) are in place and (b) offer a comprehensive service as described in the model.

Jacqui Smith: The numbers and configuration of community mental health teams are being monitored by the mental health mapping project. Data from autumn 2001 have recently become available. Copies of a mental health mapping atlas, which contains this information, have been deposited in the Library.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much money is allocated for the Mind Out for Mental Health campaign in 200203; and how much was spent in 200102;
	(2)  what the communications expenditure of the Mind Out for Mental Health campaign was in 200001 and 200102; and what the communications budget is for 200203.

Jacqui Smith: Expenditure on the Mind Out for Mental Health campaign was as follows:
	
		
			
		
		
			 200001 573,000 
			 200102 1,300,000 
		
	
	Decisions have not yet been made on communications expenditure for 200203.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the reasons are for variations in the use made of guardianship under section 7 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Jacqui Smith: The purpose of guardianship, under the Mental Health Act 1983, is to enable patients to receive community care where it cannot be provided without the use of compulsory powers. Local social services authorities have the responsibility for applying guardianship orders and we know that there is variation in their use. We believe that the reasons for this may include a lack of awareness and understanding of the provisions, and a lack of powers to compel compliance with a guardianship order.
	The draft Mental Health Bill which was published on 25 June 2002 addresses these problems by introducing a legal framework that will enable patients on orders, under the Mental Health Act, to be based in the community. These will supersede guardianship orders and will provide a clearer statutory basis for protecting patients in the community.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of local implementation teams for mental health services have emergency beds available for a crisis.

Jacqui Smith: Local implementation teams (LIT) have a planning function and also report back on progress with implementation of the mental health national framework service and NHS Plan. The teams do not themselves have available any service resources. However the trusts and social services departments supply information on the availability of services in their areas to the appropriate LIT.
	All trusts will have beds available for the needs of people in an emergency and many now have 'crisis beds' available at special crisis houses supported by trusts, social services and/or voluntary organisations.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the contribution made by (a) the electronic media and (b) the written media in changing attitudes and behaviour surrounding mental health as part of the Mind Out for Mental Health campaign.

Jacqui Smith: An evaluation of the Mind Out for Mental Health campaign, including the media strand, has been undertaken by an independent research company. We are currently considering the findings of this evaluation which covered all the main aspects of the campaign, including the campaign website.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which services within mental health are collecting the mental health minimum data set.

Jacqui Smith: The mental health minimum data set has been designed to provide person-based information about adult and elderly people in contact with specialist mental health care services in England. The data set is being implemented on a phased basis with all adult and elderly services due to assemble it from their operational systems from April 2003.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve the mental health of children in local authority care.

Jacqui Smith: A number of initiatives are under way to improve the mental health of children in local authority care. These include several targeted projects funded through the child and adolescent mental health services innovation grant, new guidance on promoting the health of looked after children and the development of a national healthy care standard which will support care providers in developing a healthy care environment.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by his Department in developing reporting lines which differentiate between (a) mental health crisis admissions out of areas which are not clinically indicated and (b) those which are so indicated; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Department is looking at the best way of capturing information on admissions that are appropriately referred and dealt with by out of area services and those that are not.
	This is a complicated area, and the Department needs to develop a way of assessing the use of out of area treatments that does not overburden the service with additional data collection, instead trying to use the systems already in place like the hospital episode statistics. This will take time, and in the meantime we are focusing attention on the development of crisis resolution services that will help avoid unnecessary out of area treatments.

Nursing Vacancies

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing posts there are in (a) London and (b) England which have been vacant for three months or more.

John Hutton: The information requested is provided in the table.
	
		
			   England London region 
		
		
			 Three month vacancy rate   
			 Qualified staff (per cent.) 3.1 6.1 
			 Three month vacancy numbers (wte)   
			 Qualified staff 8,390 2,750 
			 Staff in post (wte)   
			 Qualified staff 255,760 41,980 
			 Staff in Post (head count)   
			 Qualified staff 299,950 46,470 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2002 which trusts are actively trying to fill, which have lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalent)
	2. Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from this survey.
	3. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.
	4. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.
	5. Due to rounding calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual.
	6. Staff in data is from the non-medical work force census September 2001.
	Source:
	Department of Health Vacancy Survey 2002
	Department of Health non medical work force census September 2001

NHS Costs

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of the NHS was per head of population in 200102.

John Hutton: Public expenditure on the National Health Service in England is estimated to be 980 per head of population in 200102.

NHS Staff (Qualifications)

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress made by the NHS in England in staff undertaking NVQ levels two and three in care.

John Hutton: In 200102, the investment identified in the NHS Plan enabled over 9,000 staff to undertake National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) training and/or assessment. The investment is designed to help those National Health Service staff without a professional qualification to access either NVQ training to levels 2 or 3 or a NHS learning account.

Overseas Recruitment

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which directorate within his Department is responsible for overseas recruitment of staff.

John Hutton: The human resources directorate is responsible for the international recruitment of staff.

Non-EU Nurse Training

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 4 March 2002, Official Report, column 122W, whether the figures for the year to 31 March 2001 are available; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The figures for the year ending 31 March 2001 are provided in the table.
	
		Admissions to the register 200001
		
			 Country Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Australia 1,046 12.42 
			 Canada 89 1.06 
			 New Zealand 393 4.67 
			 Nigeria 347 4.12 
			 Philippines 3,396 40.33 
			 South Africa 1,086 12.90 
			 USA 147 1.75 
			 West Indies 172 2.04 
			 Zimbabwe 382 4.54 
			 India 289 3.43 
			 Other 1,073 12.74 
			  
			 Total 8,420 100.00

Central Council for Physical Recreation

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Central Council for Physical Recreation report Saving Lives, Saving Money; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Increasing participation in physical recreation has an important role to play in raising the rates of physical activity and improving public health. The national service framework for coronary heart disease requires the National Health Service to develop local programmes of effective policies on increasing physical activity. We welcome the findings of the Central Council of Physical Recreation report which documents the progress being made by primary care trusts towards this milestone. We are currently developing a primary care handbook which will provide guidance on delivering the national service frameworks, including advice on developing local prevention strategies and effective approaches to increasing physical activity.

Eating Disorders

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for the guidelines on the management of eating disorders to be produced by NICE.

David Lammy: Full information about the guideline on the management of eating disorders to be produced by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) may be found on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk
	The guideline is expected in September 2003.

Primary Care Trusts

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a list of the primary care trusts which have been established.

John Hutton: A full list of all 303 primary care trusts in operation at 1 April 2002 will be placed in the Library.

Student Nurses and Midwives

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the help available to student (a) nurses and (b) midwives in financial hardship.

John Hutton: The Government is confident that the National Health Service bursary scheme continues to provide satisfactory support for the great majority of students. At the same time we recognise that there are undoubtedly individual cases of hardship, and work is continuing to ensure we address any specific weaknesses in the support arrangements.
	The Government is increasing the financial support provided for all health professional students through the NHS bursary scheme (including trainee nurses and midwives), both in terms of the basic bursary and other elements of the package. This will help ensure that as few a students as possible experience financial difficulties during their training.
	The overall level of additional support available to those studying at degree level, through higher education (HE) access and hardship funds (funded by the Department for Education and Skills) in 200102 is 93 million, over four times that provided in 199798.

Nurses

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 12 June 2002, Official Report, column 1312W, if NHS Professionals' administration has been contracted to private nurses agencies; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: holding answer 4 July 2002
	NHS Professionals is the NHS-led approach to temporary staffing for the NHS. The administration has not been contracted out to private nurses' agencies.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how widespread the use of cognitive behaviour therapy is; and in which parts of England it is not available.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has made no recent assessment of the use of cognitive behaviour therapy. However, cognitive behaviour therapy is recognised as an effective treatment for a range of mental health problems and information relating to this treatment can be found in the national service framework for mental health (www.doh.gov.uk/mentalhealth). The Department has also published a guideline 'Treatment Choice in Psychological Therapies and Counselling' and a booklet for service users that contain information about cognitive behaviour therapy and the common mental disorders for which its use is indicated.

Food Standards Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to put in place a system for measuring the performance of the Food Standards Agency; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: As a non-ministerial Government Department the system for measuring the performance of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is the same as for other Government Departments. The FSA independently prepares its own submissions as part of Her Majesty's Treasury's (HMT) Spending Review although these are submitted to the HMT through my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. HMT approve the funding of the FSA on the basis of their submission and also agree a service delivery agreement setting out the main aims and targets to be achieved over the Spending Review period. A Departmental Report is prepared annually setting out the achievements of the FSA including an assessment of progress against each of the targets.

Drug Treatment Programmes

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of problem drug misusers, including prisoners, were in drug treatment programmes in each year since 199798; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The estimated number of problem drug users in the United Kingdom is between 260,000 and 340,000.
	It is estimated that there were around 118,500 drug misusers in treatment in England, in 200001 (from 'Statistics from the Regional Drug Misuse Databases on drug misusers in treatment in England, 2000/01'); comparable information is not available for earlier years. The number of users presenting to drug misuse agencies (including both general practitioners and other agencies) in England in each of the six month periods ending 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2001 is given in the table.
	
		Number of users presenting for treatment to drug misuse agencies in England during the six month periods ending 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2001
		
			 Six month period ending Number of users 
		
		
			 March 1997 25,925 
			 September 1997 21,996 
			 March 1998 23,916 
			 September 1998 28,599 
			 March 1999 28,499 
			 September 1999 30,545 
			 March 2000 31,815 
			 September 2000 33,093 
			 March 2001 33,234 
		
	
	Source: Statistics from the Regional Drug Misuse Databases, Department of Health
	The figures above exclude treatment in prisons. The Prison Service does not hold this information. Figures on the number of prisoners entering drug treatment programmes is available but only for the period 2000 to 2002. They are:
	200001, there were 3,100 entrants
	2001/02 there were 4,691 entrants.

Food Safety

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what evidence his Department presented to the National Audit Office report on the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease concerning the risk assessment with regard to bovine DNA contained in imported frozen chicken breasts;
	(2)  whether he informed the Scientific Review into Foot and Mouth by the Royal Society of his Department's risk assessment with regard to bovine DNA contained in imported frozen chicken breasts;
	(3)  whether he informed the Inquiry into the lessons to be learned from the foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001 of his Department's risk assessment with regard to bovine DNA contained in imported frozen chicken breasts.

Hazel Blears: As this is not an issue which comes under the remit of either the inquiry into the lessons to be learned from the foot and mouth disease outbreak of 2001, or the National Audit Office value for money examination into the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease, or the Royal Society study into infectious diseases in livestock, neither the Food Standards Agency (FSA) nor the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has raised it with them.
	The FSA's survey investigating composition and labelling of frozen chicken breasts sold in the United Kingdom catering sector, published in December 2001, found pork DNA in two samples, but no bovine DNA was detected in any of the samples. However, a recent Irish survey published by the Food Safety Authority (Ireland) this May, found samples showing the presence of either pork DNA or beef DNA or both.

Correspondence

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will respond to the letter submitted by Mrs. Taylor of Stroud in November 2001, which was subsequently passed to the NHS Information Authority.

David Lammy: holding answer 22 May 2002
	A letter answering the queries raised was sent by the chief executive of the National Health Service information authority to my hon. Friend on 24 June 2002.

NHS-PPP Estates Bid

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce the winning consortia of the NHS- PPP Estates bid; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: holding answer 1 July 2002
	The winning consortia will be announced following the approval of the business case, which is planned for the autumn 2002.

Medicinal Products

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the progress to the changes proposed to the definition of a medicinal product and the Government's position on these changes;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on progress that has been made to secure Her Majesty's Government's policy for no change to the scope of the centralised procedure with regards to the EU proposed amendments to the authorisation of human and veterinary medicines;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the proposals to extend the use of the centralised system for the authorisation of human medicines;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the impact the reduction in the amount of mutual recognition work concerning medicinal products will have on the relevant UK regulatory bodies.

David Lammy: holding answers 4 July 2002
	The European Commission published proposals for wide-ranging amendments to the regulatory regime for human and veterinary medicines in December 2001. Among the proposed changes were the mandatory use of the centralised system for the authorisation of human medicines containing a New Active Substance (NAS) and a new definition of a medicinal product.
	The UK, together with a number of other member states, has strongly opposed the mandatory use of the Centralised Procedure in negotiations. We do not see any scientific justification for this proposal, as it is the regulatory bodies in the member states who possess the expertise to carry out the scientific work. Nor do we believe that the proposal will improve the competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry, as it reduces business flexibility.
	The UK has promoted this view in the Council of Ministers and in the European Parliament and we have the support of a number of other member states. Final decisions have not been taken in either institution and the UK will continue to argue its case strongly in the meantime.
	The Government agrees that there is a need to ensure that definition of a medicine is drafted in such a way that will allow new therapies to be appropriately regulated. However, the UK view is that the extension of the scope of the medicines legislation, particularly when linked to the new definition, is unwarranted and unacceptable, as it would capture many products already covered by other sectoral legislation. The Government sees no justification for this proposal and will continue to resist it. This position is shared by most other member states.

Outpatients, Lister Hospital

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time is for an outpatient appointment in the Maxilla/Facial Orthodontic and Restorative Department at the Lister hospital, Stevenage.

David Lammy: holding answer 4 July 2002
	Figures are not available for the average waiting time for an outpatient appointment in the Maxilla/Facial Orthodontic and Restorative Department at the Lister hospital.
	The table provides latest waiting time information for orthodontics and plastic surgery at East and North Hertfordshire NHS trust on how long the number of general practitioner referrals seen in quarter 4 200102 waited before they received their appointment.
	
		
			  0 to 3 weeks 4 to 12 weeks 13 to 25 weeks 26 plus weeks 
		
		
			  East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust  
			 Orthodontics 9 20 13 106 
			 Plastic surgery 134 225 161 417 
			 England 
			 Orthodontics 3,484 8,980 5,597 3,115 
			 Plastic surgery 7,781 10,237 7,367 7,093 
		
	
	Source:
	QM08

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) extra beds and (b) extra staff he estimates will be required at the Ashford  St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust to enable the new chief executive to achieve the franchise plan that he has approved.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 5 July 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 456W. The franchise plan for Ashford  St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust does not make any commitment to extra staff and beds. The Trust is assessing its capacity requirements in the longer term but plans have yet to be finalised.

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many extra midwives are required by the Ashford  St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust to achieve full establishment.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 5 July 2002
	I am advised by Ashford  St. Peter's Hospitals National Health Service Trust that the current funded establishment of midwives is 103 whole-time equivalents (WTE). There are currently 75 WTE staff in permanent positions. Therefore an additional 28 WTE staff are required to achieve full establishment.
	However, in addition to the current permanent WTE staff of 75, the Trust has informed me that it also has a dedicated team of midwives temporarily employed to cover the shortfall, under the new NHS Professionals initiative. This results in an overall vacancy rate of 14 per cent. at the current time.

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the required reduction in expenditure arising from the merger of the Ashford Hospital NHS Trust and the St. Peter's Hospital NHS Trust was (a) in the year the merger took place and (b) in each subsequent year;
	(2)  what reduction in expenditure by Ashford  St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust was required by West Surrey Health Authority's Sustainable NHS plan.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 5 July 2002
	In 199899, the year the hospitals merged, West Surrey Health Authority required strategic change savings of 300,000. As a result of the merger, the Ashford  St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust actually saved 1.4 million in management costs (1.2 million in 199899 and 0.2 million in 19992000) and 0.6 million in support service costs. The benefits of the savings have been ongoing in subsequent years. The savings made met the strategic change target and helped fund cost pressures at the Trust.
	The Trust was required to contribute the sums shown in the table to the West Surrey sustainable National Health Service project on a recurring basis:
	
		
			  000 
		
		
			 19992000 1,072 
			 200001 1,665 
			 200102 324 
			  
			 Total 3,061 
		
	
	In 200001, the Trust received non-recurrent support of 1.24 million against the contribution of 1.665 million.

Bed Blocking

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds have been blocked in Surrey hospitals in each month in 2002.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 5 July 2002
	Information on delayed discharges is collected at health authority level and has been placed in the Library. The most recent figures available are for quarter 4 of 200102.

National Health Service Act

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends to use powers under section 97(6) of the National Health Service Act 1977 to ring-fence funds for the implementation of NICE guidance; and if he will make a statement as to his policy on the use of section 97(6).

David Lammy: holding answer 8 July 2002
	We have no plans to ring fence funds for the implementation of guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). National health service organisations are expected to meet the cost of implementing NICE guidance from their general allocations.

Anti-psychotic Drugs

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to restrict the use of typical anti-psychotic drugs to a named patient basis.

David Lammy: holding answer 8 July 2002
	There are no plans to restrict the use of the traditional or typical anti-psychotic drugs to a named patient basis. The recently published guidance from the national institute for clinical excellence stated that oral atypical anti-psychotic drugs should be considered in the choice of first-line treatments for individuals with newly diagnosed schizophrenia and where there are unacceptable side effects with the typical anti-psychotics in people with a more long-established schizophrenic illness.

Anti-psychotic Drugs

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the implementation of the NICE guidance on atypical anti- psychotic drugs.

David Lammy: holding answer 8 July 2002
	The Secretary of State has not received representations concerning the implementation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's guidance on atypical anti- psychotic drugs. The national health service has, since 1 January 2002, been required to provide appropriate funding for recommended treatments within three months of the publication of technology appraisal guidance.

Child Welfare

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent national health service (a) consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists, (b) clinical psychologists working with children and (c) psychotherapists working with children there are.

John Hutton: holding answer 8 July 2002
	The Department's non-medical work force census does not break down the area of work for clinical psychologists and psychotherapists. The information shown in the table for these two professions covers all staff, regardless of whether they work with children.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): consultants working in the child and adolescent psychiatry specialty and qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff employed within the clinical psychology and psychotherapy areas of work as at 30 September 2001
		
			  Whole time equivalents 
		
		
			 Child and adolescent psychiatry consultants 420 
			 Clinical psychologists 4,400 
			 Psychotherapists 470 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Work Force Census
	Department of Health Medical and Dental Work Force Census

Health Professions Council

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made as regards grandparent rights for non state-registered chiropodists; and if he will make a statement on progress in the negotiations taking place under the auspices of the Health Professions Council.

John Hutton: holding answer 8 July 2002
	There is a continuing dialogue, facilitated by the Department, between the health professions council (HPC), those bodies representing the currently unregulated chiropody sector and those representing the regulated sector. The arrangements for grandparenting (the assimilation of unregulated practitioners to regulated status) will not be finalised until after the HPC have completed and analysed the results of their public consultation. This is likely to be April 2003.

Stalybridge and Hyde

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact his Department's policies have had on the Stalybridge and Hyde constituency since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 7 May 2002
	Detailed information on the impact of the Department's policies nationally is set out in the Department's annual reports. A copy of the most recent report 'Department of HealthGovernment Expenditure Plans 200102' is available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/dhreport
	The impact of policies are not examined by constituency.